Manchester United roundup: Pochettino meets Sir Alex; James Rodriguez looking for Old Trafford switch?

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino might replace Louis van Gaal at Manchester United after the Argentine was reported to have had a lunch meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson according to various reports in the English media.

Pochettino has been hailed as the best coach in the Premier League for his accomplishments with Tottenham Hotspur this season. In fact, Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson himself has declared Pochettino to be “the best manager in the Premier League”, according to ESPN.

With the youngest squad in the Premier League at his disposal, Pochettino almost managed to win the title this year, only losing out at the final hurdle to surprise champions Leicester City.

The Argentine has long been tipped as one of the favourites to take over as manager at Manchester United after current Red Devils’ boss Louis van Gaal’s contract runs out next year.

While former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has been touted as the favourite to replace Van Gaal at Old Trafford, Pochettino’s “secret” lunch meeting with Sir Alex in London has fuelled rumours that Manchester United are considering the Spurs boss as the favourite to take over at the club.

However, according to The Sun, Tottenham Hotspur officials were aware of the meeting and said that it was only a social meet between Sir Alex and Pochettino.

Is James Rodriguez moving to Old Trafford or the Etihad?

The Colombian playmaker has long been considered as one of the brightest young players in the world. His stellar performance at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil helped to reinstate this fact, after he scored six goals to clinch the Golden Boot award in the tournament.

However, the Colombia international has been struggling for form in his second season at Real Madrid and is reportedly looking for a move away from the Spanish capital. Manchester United are said to be one of the favourites to sign the 24-year-old.

Interestingly, Spanish outlet OkDiario claim that the Colombia international is house hunting in Manchester.

On the other hand, Rodriguez has also been linked with a move to Manchester City, according to a report in Spanish newspaper El Confidencial. Real Madrid, who bought Rodriguez for around £71 million, are looking to sell the Colombian playmaker if they get a decent enough offer for him.

It would be interesting to see the fates of Juan Mata and Ander Herrera if Rodriguez is snapped up by Manchester United, as all three of these players operate in a similar position.

The move seems more viable for Manchester City though, as their talismanic midfielder Yaya Toure is reportedly looking for a move away from the club in the summer transfer window.