Mauricio Pochettino to Man Utd: Sir Alex Ferguson thinks Spurs boss is 'best manager in the Premier League'

The former Manchester United manager apparently told Tottenham MP David Lammy

Mauricio Pochettino (GETTY IMAGES)

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has said Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is "the best manager in the Premier League", according to MP David Lammy.

Pochettino has masterminded Tottenham's improving fortunes since replacing Tim Sherwood in 2014, with the club currently sitting second in the Premier League and among the favourites to win this season's title.

It has led to speculation that the former Argentina international is among those being considered by Manchester United as a potential replacement for Louis van Gaal.

Among those that will influence that decision will be Ferguson, who is now a director at the club having stood down as manager. And according to Tottenham MP Lammy, Ferguson is a fan of Pochettino.

“I’m going to let you into a secret,” Lammy said on Tottenham podcast The Spurs Show. “About six weeks ago, I sat next to Sir Alex Ferguson at a dinner in support of grassroots football abroad.

"He said to me, ‘I think you guys have got the best manager in the Premier League'. Alex Ferguson said that.”

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson (Getty Images)

The appeal of Pochettino stems from his relatively successful periods with Southampton and Tottenham in the Premier League, plus the perception he is a promoter of youth. Spurs' current campaign has been built on English youngsters Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Erik Dier - all of whom have broken into the England set-up under Pochettino.

However, former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is considered the favourite to replace Van Gaal should United make a change, with the latest reports suggest the Portuguese coach is "confident" he will soon be in charge at Old Trafford.