Mauricio Pochettino 'not pushing for Manchester United job cost him his chance'

Mauricio Pochettino missed out on the Manchester United job last year because he did not push for the job, according to a report.

The 50-year-old was heavily linked with the vacant manager's job at Old Trafford for some time, but Erik ten Hag was confirmed as the new permanent manager from next season on Thursday morning.

However, the current Paris Saint-Germain boss was United's primary target to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer back when the Norwegian was sacked last year, according to Manchester Evening News.

The report suggests that the United hierarchy even approached PSG in order to discuss a potential agreement, but that the French club were not prepared to lose the Argentine boss.

Should Pochettino have pushed for his return to the Premier League, PSG's hand would have been forced into discussions according to the report, but the lack of pressure from the former Tottenham Hotspur boss saw the Red Devils instead focus on an interim appointment.

Pochettino has endured a difficult campaign in Ligue 1 with PSG, although Les Parisiens could regain the title from Lille should they avoid defeat to Lens on Saturday evening.