Manchester United legend Roy Keane has urged his former club to spend ‘whatever it costs’ to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as their manager in the summer.
The Red Devils suffered an embarrassing 4-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester City on Sunday evening.
Braces from Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez ensured that Pep Guardiola’s men stamped their authority over their local rivals.
The defeat was Ralf Rangnick’s second since replacing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the dugout at Old Trafford, but despite that record, United do not look an improved outfit for the German’s arrival.
With Arsenal moving into the top four this weekend with three games in hand over the Red Devils, the arrival of a new manager is firmly in the thoughts of United supporters.
Paris Saint-Germain boss Pochettino has continually been linked with a return to the Premier League, and if he is a target of United’s then former captain Keane sees no reason why they shouldn’t secure his signature.
The former Sunderland manager told Sky Sports: “If United want Pochettino, then go and get him. I know people will say ‘ooh he’s expensive,’ but it doesn’t matter, it’s the biggest decision United have to make in donkey's years.
"Go and get the right man, pay the money, whatever it costs.”
Ajax’s Erik ten Hag and Leicester City’s Brendan Rodgers are two other names who have been linked with United, as well as Ralph Hasenhuttl of Southampton most recently.
The task at United is a significant one and whoever takes control of the club must be committed to the side’s long-term targets and not expect to see an immediate change in fortunes considering how many players are failing to meet the mark as it stands.
Speaking after the crushing loss, Keane said: “We saw all of United’s shortcomings today, the way United lost the game today they stopped running, no running back, it’s really unacceptable when you play for Man United and I think they threw in the towel.
“They’re up against a top side but you have to tackle, you’ve got to run back, it was just a reflection of where the club is, they’re so far behind the other teams.
"We hear about problems with the new manager coming in but your own pride has to kick in at some stage.
“I was getting really frustrated, I can forgive mistakes but you have to put your body on the line. Wan-Bissaka, Fred, Maguire, Rashford came on, I could go on, gave up four goals and City didn’t have to be at their best at all. Shame on them.
“Once the third goal went in, the game was over, they threw the towel in, the white flag came up.”
Pochettino was linked with replacing Solskjaer earlier this season but a move never materialised, though reports have previously circulated that the former Tottenham Hotspur boss is keen to return to the Premier League.
It remains to be seen who emerges as United’s priority acquisition when the season draws to a close.
