Report: Paris Saint-Germain blocking Manchester United from hiring Mauricio Pochettino

It appears Manchester United may have to wait to hire their chosen long-term replacement for former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was relieved of his duties this past weekend. 

ESPN's Rob Dawson reports Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain are unwilling to discuss the availability of head coach and former Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino with United. Pochettino has repeatedly been linked with the Premier League outfit since Solskjaer's dismissal, but the 49-year-old is under contract with the Parisians through the end of the 2022-23 campaign and, thus, would have to force his exit to make a midseason move to Manchester. 

Dawson adds United could pursue Pochettino next summer following the completion of the domestic calendar. As for now, Michael Carrick is serving as United caretaker manager while the club searches for an interim coach to guide it through next spring, assuming Pochettino is staying put for the foreseeable future. 

While speaking with reporters Tuesday, Pochettino remarked he is "happy at PSG" and was focused only on Wednesday's UEFA Champions League clash with reigning Premier League champions Manchester City at the Etihad. Earlier in the week, a report surfaced PSG had reached out to former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane about taking over if Pochettino pushed for a return to England's top flight in December or January. 

PSG may be more willing to discuss Pochettino's departure this fall or winter if they come to terms with Zidane via a handshake agreement.