Tottenham defender Ben Davies claims that the squad joking about how rumours were linking manager Mauricio Pochettino to the vacant job at Manchester United.

It became apparent just a few days after United won the FA Cup that they would sack manager Louis van Gaal after just two years.Pochettino has been regarded as one of the finest young and upcoming managers. He sustained his reputation – and possibly improved it – following an impressive campaign with Tottenham, who came very close to winning the league title. They may have finished behind Arsenal once again, but the progress made is undeniable.

This improvement has seen him linked with some of the best clubs in the world like United. Even though it appeared certain that the club were going to appoint Jose Mourinho as the replacement for van Gaal, it was not yet confirmed by United. However, the Portuguese had been linked with the Red Devils ever since he was sacked by Chelsea towards the end of 2015.Pochettino, though, emerged as a surprise candidate to replace van Gaal at United. Davies, though, claimed that the players were confident thatPochettino was going to sign a new contract and not jump ship at this stage.

Pochettino went on to sign a new five-year contract that will keep him at the club until 2021."A few boys cracked jokes that he was going, but he signed a new contract the next day so all fears were out of the way. I like to think he [Pochettino] was tapping up his [Ferguson's] experience and there was no ulterior motive. I think he spoke to someone like Sir Alex Ferguson to pick his brain as part of his learning and where he can improve," reacted Davies afterPochettino was pictured after having lunch with Sir Alex Ferguson.