Report: Manchester United Target Mauricio Pochettino to Replace Jose Mourinho

Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly Manchester United's first choice to replace Jose Mourinho as manager.

The Red Devils have endured a poor start to the 2018-19 campaign, and Mourinho is under major pressure as a result.

If the Portuguese gets the sack, Miguel Delaney of The Independent said: "Pochettino would still be the number-one target, but [Spurs chairman] Daniel Levy would never let him leave Tottenham Hotspur mid-season..."

Delaney added there are some at United who are "unconvinced" by the prospect of Zinedine Zidane taking over—the Frenchman is out of work after steering Real Madrid to three UEFA Champions League successes in a row.

It's said United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward doesn't know whether to "push the button" and sack Mourinho. Woodward reportedly "can't decide which way to lean" when it comes to the former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter Milan chief.

Despite the disappointing beginning to the campaign, Simon Stone of BBC Sport said that United have history for keeping managers when they've been in worse predicaments:

There's little doubt something needs to change quickly at Old Trafford, though, as the players appear to be going through the motions.

On Saturday, they were pulled apart by West Ham United in the Premier League, losing 3-1. Then on Tuesday night in the Champions League, they were blunt in attack and were only able to muster a 0-0 draw against a Valencia team that have been struggling for form so far this season.

Per Alex Shaw of ESPN, the team appears incapable of executing the basics when they take to the field:

Pochettino would be a popular choice as a replacement. While he's yet to steer Tottenham to silverware, he has established them as Champions League regulars and been key in the development of players like Harry Kane and Dele Alli.

Rob Blanchette of Bleacher Report thinks Pochettino would be a fine appointment with the future in mind:

However, as noted by Delaney, getting him away from north London would be a challenge, as he signed a new long-term contract in the summer. He has also built an excellent squad at Spurs, who are poised to move into a new stadium soon, too.

United will still have a pulling power and the financial clout to test the resolve of any side in world football. Still, if Mourinho was to move on, there appear to be too many obstacles that would prevent them from getting Pochettino in the near future.