Bent unconvinced by Pochettino as Manchester United frontrunner

Mauricio Pochettino is the frontrunner to take over at Old Trafford should Michael Carrick be sacked, but Darren Bent is not convinced. Bent said he felt underwhelmed by the news and believes there are more suitable candidates for the role.

Bent acknowledged Pochettino is a good coach who developed players at Tottenham, but insisted Eddie Howe would be a better appointment. He pointed out that Howe took Bournemouth from League Two to the Premier League, won a trophy at Newcastle, and developed Alexander Isak into the best striker in Europe.

Bent also argued that Pochettino would not rank among the top six managers in the Premier League if he returned, naming eight current bosses he rates higher. He also selected Enzo Maresca, Xabi Alonso and David Moyes, saying of the Everton boss: “If Moyes was called Pochettino, there’d be no argument.”

Richard Keys calls for Wilcox and Berrada to follow Carrick out of Manchester United

Carrick’s future is expected to be decided this week after Manchester United chiefs Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox met with co-owner Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco. Berrada and Wilcox are understood to have been set to recommend a change in the dugout during that meeting.