Manchester United’s first approach by Pochettino was rejected by PSG

Sources told ESPN that Manchester United have conducted a preliminary investigation into the immediate availability of Mauricio Pochettino, who was rejected by Paris Saint-Germain.

Argentina’s United made it their main target as their permanent coach after sacking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Sunday.

The club is ready to name Pochettino now if an agreement can be reached, but mediators charged with evaluating the 49-year-old’s status at Paris Saint-Germain have reported that the French side, for the time being, are unwilling to speak up.

United believe Pochettino will likely only be available in the summer, unless the ex-Tottenham boss forces him out.

Sources have told ESPN that Pochettino will be interested in the vacancy at Old Trafford, but is under contract in Paris until 2023 after signing an extension in the summer.

Paris Saint-Germain have contacted former Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane in the event that Pochettino returns to the Premier League. Agreeing terms with Zidane will affect when and if Pochettino is allowed to leave PSG.

Meanwhile, sources told ESPN that United continue to search for potential interim coaches to lead the team over the summer.

Talks were held with former Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde, while Lucien Favre, who previously played at Borussia Dortmund, was also on the list.

Ralph Rangnick, who was previously in charge of RB Leipzig and now works at Lokomotiv Moscow, has distanced himself from the business.

The process of finding an interim coach is still underway despite interim Michael Carrick guiding United to a 2-0 win over Villarreal on Tuesday night to retain a place in the Champions League playoffs to clinch the Group F title.

Director of Football John Murtaugh and manager Darren Fletcher are leading the search for temporary and permanent directors, but Executive Vice President Ed Woodward and Co-President Joel Glazer will have the final say on who gets appointed.

Woodward is still set to leave the club at the end of the year and hand over the group’s current managing director, Richard Arnold, but sources have told ESPN he can still remain as a consultant to help with the coaching transition.