Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has declared Mauricio Pochettino the top candidate to succeed Michael Carrick at the club, according to comments posted on his YouTube channel.
Carrick is facing imminent dismissal following a disastrous start to the season, with the Red Devils sitting in 18th place in the Premier League table — just one point above the relegation zone.
Several high-profile managers have already been linked with the vacancy, including Eddie Howe, Fabian Hurzeler, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte. However, Ferdinand believes Pochettino is currently in pole position.
"People are talking about Mauricio Pochettino and it looks like he’s at the front of the queue right now," Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel. "We spent some time with him and his team in the summer, they’re really good guys and competent at what they do."
Pochettino's credentials as a manager of elite football clubs make him a compelling choice for the vacant role at Old Trafford, where United have struggled badly under Carrick's leadership this season.