Ed Woodward prepared to splash the cash for Pochettino

Cape Town - Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward would be prepared to pay £34 million to secure Mauricio Pochettino as the club’s manager for next season, according to reports.

Tottenham Hotspur boss Pochettino has long been linked with the managerial role at Old Trafford, and despite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s impressive record as United caretaker boss, it is said that Woodward is still keen on the Argentine for the summer.

According to the Evening Standard, United would have to pay a £34 million compensation package to Spurs for Pochettino’s services – but that sum does not faze Woodward if it means the club improves.

The report states that United would pay the fee in installments rather than as one lump sum.

Solskjaer and Pochettino had contrasting fortunes in the Champions League in midweek, with the former suffering a reality check as PSG beat United 2-0, and the latter inspiring Tottenham to an impressive win over Borussia Dortmund.

Solskjaer would be the cheaper option for United, but it is understood that Woodward is happy to spend big if it means getting the right man for the job. He did, after all, pay more than £20 million to sack Jose Mourinho.