Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba would not complement Mauricio Pochettino's style of management, according to an insider close to the Paris Saint-Germain boss.
The Argentine is one of the leading contenders for the Old Trafford job, although Erik ten Hag has emerged as the front runner as PSG publicly claim Pochettino will see out his deal, which expires in 2023, at the Parc des Princes.
It's claimed Pochettino doesn't like coaching superstars and prefers individuals that put the team first, something that has been highlighted in Paris as he's struggled to get the best out of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe after their Champions League exit midweek.
“When you know Mauricio, it’s very difficult for him to manage this type of player, this type of team [like PSG]," The Athletic quotes a source close the coach saying.
“He needs to improve players, he wants players to have fundamentally good principles of play.”
It's something to bear in mind if he lands the United job with the likes of Pogba and Ronaldo reportedly looking to leave the club as the pair's egos have had a detrimental impact on the club this season.
Here's who could be heading out the exit door in the summer.
Will Cristiano Ronaldo leave Manchester United in the summer? Comment below
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Old Trafford could be cut short this summer as he isn't settled in Manchester.
The Portugal star wants to be competing for silverware as he enters the final stages of his career and it appears that he doesn't want to be a part of United's rebuild regardless of who takes over.
But if it's Pochettino, the pair do not seem to be the right fit.
Ronaldo's influence in the dressing room has been questioned multiple times this season with several players unhappy at how much say he has within the camp.
That likely wouldn't go down well with Pochettino who is looking for people to leave their egos at the door.
Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba is another player who has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford.
Unlike Ronaldo, the ball is in the Frenchman's court, with the midfielder set to be a free agent.
He hasn't ruled out extending his stay in Manchester but it's dependent on other offers he receives and who United appoints.
But if it turns out to be Pochettino, Pogba doesn't seem like the type of player the former Tottenham boss would want in his midfield as he typically utilises hard-working, high-energy players in his team.
Jesse Lingard
Jesse Lingard is in the same boat as Pogba with his contract winding down.
All signs point to the playmaker leaving the club, but could a new manager persuade him otherwise?
Pochettino isn't that guy, however, nor is anyone, as Lingard's relationship with the club seems too fractured to repair.
Pochettino would rather the Englishman moves on so there is no lingering disharmony in the dressing room.
Dean Henderson
Dean Henderson has been surplus to requirements this season with David de Gea taking the no.1 jersey off the 25-year-old.
Henderson still has the potential to be a future star for the club, but the issue is he might not be willing to play second fiddle to the Spaniard who is playing at the peak of his powers this season.
Henderson expressed his frustration at his lack of playing time as he asked for a new club in January.
United would like to keep him, but by the same token, they don't want to keep an unhappy player who isn't fully bought into the team.
Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford is another player who is reportedly disgruntled about his playing time.
It's claimed he is weighing up his future at the club, although Mirror Football understands he is unhappy with these suggestions.
Ralf Rangnick made it clear to Rashford he is free to leave the club in the summer.
Rashford is typically known as a player who puts the team first, but this week suggests that might not be the case.
His form hasn't warranted a place in the side and Pochettino clearly wants players to fight for the place, as well as showing they can dig themselves out of a bad spell - which Rashford hasn't done yet.
