Mauricio Pochettino would improve five Manchester United players if he became manager

The careers of Erik ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino have often intertwined.

Whenever they've met on the pitch, however, the Argentinian has usually come out on top in dramatic circumstances. When they first clashed in an epic 2019 Champions League semi-final, Pochettino's Tottenham Hotspur left it late – very late – to seal the win over Ten Hag's Ajax. In the Premier League season just gone, again Pochettino was in the winning dugout thanks to a late flurry of goals, as Chelsea beat Manchester United in a thrilling 4-3.

Two years ago, of course, they were both in the running for the United job – a race won by Ten Hag. United, long-term admirers of Pochettino – who they'd considered hiring in 2018 and 2020 – veered towards the Dutchman due to his trophy record in the Netherlands.

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Yet United do not seem to be able to kick their Pochettino cravings and here we are again, with the former PSG defender heavily linked to the Old Trafford hotseat once again.

Of course, Ten Hag still has a job for the next few days at least, and possibly longer. His case will be helped no end if United triumph in the FA Cup final this weekend.

There's always been a pull for United with Pochettino and perhaps it's his stellar record with young homegrown players that makes him desirable.

The Argentinian left Tottenham without a trophy to his name – a stick often used to beat him – but during his five-year stint he developed and improved a clutch of talented English players, nurturing them from the youth academy to the top table of European football.

Even before he was at Tottenham, there was Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana and others who Pochettino brought through at Southampton. Then, the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Eric Dier and Kyle Walker had plenty to thank him for in north London, as Pochettino entrusted them instead of making expensive signings at Spurs.

More recently, Cole Palmer has flourished under Pochettino's management at Chelsea and Blues fans must be concerned that the former Manchester City youngster may not shine so much under a new coach.

What's certain is Pochettino's preference to trust in youth aligns perfectly with the core values of United, where blooding youngsters in the first team is the norm. For nearly 90 years, every United matchday squad has contained at least one academy graduate.

It could be good news for players like Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and maybe even Marcus Rashford if Pochettino did arrive at United.

The likes of Ethan Wheatley, Harry Amass and other members of United's promising Under-18s contingent waiting in the wings may also take heart if Pochettino was appointed. They would almost be guaranteed some opportunities with the seniors.

Pochettino's reputation for developing young players was one reason he got the Chelsea job a year ago, which makes his sacking by the club this week even more perplexing.

“The most important thing we are going to have is all the conversations with the young players,” Pochettino said earlier this month. “We cannot judge them because of mistakes. You need to try to provide them with good tools. They can make a mistake."

Even with his job under threat, Pochettino was looking to the future and putting youth first.

Such a philosophy would surely go down well with United's up-and-coming stars of the future. It may help him land the United job one day soon. That day could finally be on the horizon.