Transfer rumour: Manchester United players pushing for Pochettino

• Manchester United players prefer Mauricio Pochettino

• Chelsea on the race to hand Rudiger a new contract

• Inter extends Ivan Perisic contract

Manchester United remain on the watch out for a full-time manager, three months on from sacking former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

German Ralf Rangnick has taken interim charge until at least the end of the campaign, but some mixed results have hampered his hopes of landing the job permanently at Old Trafford.

A number of names have been linked with one of football’s most prestigious positions, though one candidate is seemingly favoured by the players.

Manchester United players prefer Pochettino appointment

Mauricio Pochettino remains the favourite to succeed Solskjaer as United’s next permanent head coach and, according to The Express, that is an appointment that will go down well with various members at Old Trafford.

PSG manager and Manchester United target Mauricio Pochettino. | PHOTO: Getty Images |

The Red Devils’ first-team stars are said to have made it clear that Pochettino, who is under pressure a year into his time with Paris Saint-Germain, is their preferred option.

Ajax boss Erik Ten Hag is another candidate to lead United forward from next season, but there are concerns over his lack of experience in English football.

SPORTSLEO TRANSFER ROUND-UP

While there is uncertainty over who will be in charge at Manchester United next season, the Premier League side is pushing ahead with transfer plans. Sport1 reports that Borussia Dortmund defender Manuel Akanji is one of those being targeted at Old Trafford.

Memphis Depay could be on his way out of Barcelona less than a year after arriving at Camp Nou. Reports from Spain claim that Barca have other attacking options in mind, with Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland still on their radar.

Inter remain in talks with Ivan Perisic over a new contract at San Siro. According to Nicolo Schira, the Croatia international is close to putting pen to paper on an extension that will run through until July 2024. It is now clear that the creation will not leave Inter this summer. Another Inter midfielder Marcelo Brozovic is also close to signing a contract extension at San Siro, with an announcement set to be made less than a week from now.

Ivan Perisic is expected to sign a contract extension at Inter Milan. | PHOTO: Getty Images |

Inter are also done with the signing of Germany fullback Robin Gosens and the left wing-back will join the reigning Serie A champions on loan from Atalanta but with a buy option.

Across the stands at San Siro, Calciomercato reports that Milan are planning talks with the representatives of Lille centre-back Sven Botman. The highly-rated defender has been touted as a target for numerous clubs across Europe, most notably Newcastle United. The Ligue 1 reigning champions rejected bids from Premier League sides Arsenal and Newcastle United in January terming Botman as ‘untouchable’ in January, but most likely the defender will head to Serie A at the end of the season.

Back to the Premier League, Champions League winners Chelsea have not given up hope of tying Antonio Rudiger down to a new deal, according to Goal. It is claimed that the Germany international has been offered close to £200,000 a week to turn down interest from Real Madrid and PSG. The discussion for a new contract for the defender is expected to resume once the team jets back from Abu Dhabi where they are competing in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Another player Chelsea is keen to renew his contract is Spain international Cesar Azpilicueta. Reports have indicated that the skipper is keen to finish the contract talks once they are done with the Club World Cup. In the meantime, Chelsea is still interested in signing Sevilla defender Jules Kounde and will make a further approach for the Frenchman in the summer.