Super agent pushing Antonio Conte to Man Utd as Pochettino rival rejects different role

Antonio Conte is reportedly being represented by super agent Pini Zahavi in his quest to land the Manchester United job, having rejected another role as he rivals Mauricio Pochettino to land at Old Trafford.

Conte’s name has circled around United often of late. The former Chelsea boss is believed to look favourably upon the move to the Manchester outfit.

He is not one of the names most expected to take the job, with that mantle previously split between Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann, while Pochettino now appears top of the pile.

But Conte remains an option for United, and insider Santi Aouna has revealed the size of the push.

Usually represented by Federico Pastorello, Aouna states Pochettino is being repped by super agent Zahavi in United talks.

He states discussions with the Red Devils are still ongoing, and despite some doubts within the club, Conte remains on the shortlist, alongside Pochettino.

One thing remains clear for the majority of football insiders: Michael Carrick is not expected to survive the international break.

Conte’s push has been reiterated by Saudi Arabian outlets winwin and Al-Maidan.

Usual agent Pastorello has reportedly told them: “Going to Saudi Arabia is not an option for Antonio Conte this season. It is also untrue that he requested large financial sums to accept the job at this time.”

That was amid suggestions he could take the Al-Ahli role, while he also reportedly had offers from European clubs.

A number of reports have suggested it’s Pochettino who now tops the United list, though, despite recently penning a new deal with the USMNT.

Our friends at TEAMtalk have stated: ‘[Jason] Wilcox is expected to put forward his preferred succession plan, with Pochettino and Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe emerging as his two leading candidates.

‘Howe had previously been Wilcox’s favoured option ahead of Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte, while Pochettino has influential admirers within the club, including Ferguson.

‘While Ratcliffe is believed to favour an English appointment – therefore, Howe – he will listen to the guidance of others and is prepared to leave Wilcox to have the ultimate say.

‘The club’s co-owner Joel Glazer, alongside Berrada, is also understood to favour Pochettino’s appointment, and discussions on Wednesday are expected to focus on the merits of the Argentine and Howe in particular during the Monaco summit.’

The i Paper, meanwhile, have said: ‘Two sources in the US, who have close working ties to Joel and Avram Glazer, the most active members of the family in United dealings, insist the Americans will not make the same mistake in overlooking Pochettino again.’