October 7 – With the international break replacing domestic league fixtures for the next two weeks, English football’s rumour mill has swung into action amid growing speculation that Manchester United are considering replacing manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with Tottenham Hotspur’s Mauricio Pochettino.
Both clubs are in something of a crisis following a desperate series of results made worse by two more humiliating weekend setbacks, United beaten 1-0 at Newcastle and Spurs humbled 3-0 at Brighton.
Despite the initial optimism when Solkjaer took over, United are suffering their worst start to a league season since 1989/90. The Red Devils have been anything but and have picked up just 17 points in 16 games since their former striker was handed a contract to become the permanent manager.
Pochettino is the favourite to take over at Old Trafford should the Norwegian be sacked, with the Argentine’s own future at Spurs under severe pressure following the most worrying period since he arrived five and half years ago.
Pochettino has been linked with Man Utd in the past and is now the 5/2 favourite to replace Solskjaer at the so-called Theatre of Dreams even though both managers have looked forlorn touchline figures in recent weeks despite speaking bullishly in public.
Tottenham’s abject display at Brighton followed elimination from the domestic League Cup by a fourth-tier club and a 7-2 Champions League drubbing by Bayern Munich last week, results which raised even more speculation that Pochettino’s time could soon be up amid the risk of going backwards following season after season of unexpected top-four finishes, capped by last June’s Champions league final appearance.
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