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Report: Manchester United targeting Pochettino as permanent manager

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is Manchester United's choice for interim manager and will take charge of the club until the end of this season if United can negotiate his release from Norwegian side Molde, according to Mark Ogden of ESPN FC.

The decision to target Solskjaer followed the sacking of Jose Mourinho on Tuesday after two-and-a-half years managing United.

The 45-year-old Solskjaer was a fan favorite at United as a striker. He played for the club from 1996-2007 and scored more than 100 goals across all competitions before managing the reserve team from 2008-11.

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Ogden also reported that Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino is United's primary target to take charge on a full-time basis next season.

When asked about his future, the 46-year-old Pochettino failed to offer Tottenham any guarantees that he'll remain in his role beyond the current campaign.

"After nearly five years as manager of Tottenham, there are a lot of rumors that happen in my position here," Pochettino told reporters Tuesday, according to the Guardian's David Hytner.

"I cannot answer this type of question because this type of rumor happens in this business, in football. This business, we know very well - the rumors, a lot of rumors happen, but it’s not my business what happens in another club."

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It's understood that United chairman Ed Woodward holds Pochettino in high regard and also considered him for the manager role following Louis van Gaal's dismissal in 2016.

However, to sign Pochettino, United will likely face a fight from Spurs and Real Madrid, who are also said to have a strong interest in bringing him aboard as manager.

Other options that United might consider for manager include former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane, Laurent Blanc, England coach Gareth Southgate, and Antonio Conte.

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