MAURICIO POCHETTINO remains Manchester United's favoured option to take over as their next manager.
The Paris Saint-Germain boss is currently in Manchester where his side face City in the Champions League tonight.
But he will be longingly looking across town at Old Trafford, with the United job up for grabs.
Brendan Rodgers remains in the running, but United will have to stump £8million to prise him away from Leicester City.
In the meantime, former Barcelona, Valencia and Athletic Bilbao manager Ernesto Valverde remains in the running to become United's interim manager.
The Spaniard, 57, has been out of work since leaving the Nou Camp last year, when he was replaced by doomed Ronald Koeman.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho were on target as Michael Carrick led United to Champions League victory over Villarreal.
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
Follow all the latest Man Utd news, transfer and gossip from Old Trafford below…
- Dylan Terry
HEART & SOL
Michael Carrick dedicated Manchester United's win at Villarreal to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after the club legend was sacked at the weekend.
After the game, Carrick told BT Sport: "We came here to win the game, I believed we would.
"We were ready and it was a tough game. The boys dug in and showed a little bit of everything.
"Let’s be honest, I don’t think anyone would have expected to come out here and play pretty football from the word go.
"When you have suffered results-wise and you’re not in a great vein of form, it’s not easy to come out and let everything click.
"We had to dig in and we had to fight and it didn’t go our way at times and the game looked like it was drifting away then the subs made a massive impact. The boys gave everything."
- Alex Terrell
MORE FROM CARRICK
The caretaker boss said: "It was about getting through.
"It's been an emotional few days.
"The first person I spoke to when Ed Woodward asked me to do the role was Ole, to see what he thought about it.
"I have a responsibility to be here and manage the team and I take great pride in that.
"You can't hide from the run we've been on. To get that feeling of winning a match for the players is huge, to get a clean sheet was important."
- Alex Terrell
HOLD THE BACK PAGE
Michael Carrick masterminded underfire United's march into the Champions League knockout stages and declared: That was for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, writes NEIL CUSTIS.
Jadon Sancho fired his first goal for the club since his £73million summer move from Borussia Dortmund and Cristiano Ronaldo bagged the 799th of his career to clinch victory in Spain.
Caretaker boss Carrick said: "It has not been an easy couple of days for everyone at the club.
"I can enjoy it but that result is for Ole and I can't get away from that."
Carrick had endured a tough couple of days after Solskjaer was sacked as boss on Sunday.
He said: "We had a job to do and, thankfully, it all went to plan.
"But tonight isn't about me, it's not an important result for me, it's for the club and the players."
- Joshua Jones
GOOD MORNING RED DEVILS FANS
Man Utd won their first game since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's sacking on Sunday.
The Red Devils beat Villarreal 2-0 away from home to book their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Interim manager Michael Carrick dedicated the win to sacked Solskjaer.
He told BT Sport: "We came here to win the game, I believed we would.
"We were ready and it was a tough game. The boys dug in and showed a little bit of everything.
"Let’s be honest, I don’t think anyone would have expected to come out here and play pretty football from the word go.
"When you have suffered results-wise and you’re not in a great vein of form, it’s not easy to come out and let everything click.
"We had to dig in and we had to fight and it didn’t go our way at times and the game looked like it was drifting away then the subs made a massive impact. The boys gave everything."
Meanwhile transfer target Declan Rice is attracting interest from a host of European clubs now.
The 22-year-old West Ham captain is being seen as the 'real deal' across Europe, according to Eurosport's Dean Jones.
United managerial target Mauricio Pochettino has declared he is 'happy in Paris'.
Speaking ahead of Paris Saint-Germain's crunch UCL clash against Manchester City, he said: "My contract is until 2023 – this season and one more. I don’t say anything different.
“I’m happy in Paris – that’s a fact. I’m happy in Paris.”
- Joshua Mbu
IN THE RON-NING
Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski is the top scorer in the Champions League this season.
Ajax's Seb Haller has grabbed seven…. not bad for a man who struggled at West Ham.
And Man Utd's Cristiano Ronaldo has bagged SIX crucial goals for the Red Devils.
- Joshua Mbu
MAG-NIFICENT
Club captain Harry Maguire turned in a dominant performance at the back.
- Joshua Mbu
AND HE'S OFF
Jadon Sancho scored his first goal for Man Utd with a well placed finish.
The big money summer signing finished United's game against Villarreal to book the club's place in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
- Joshua Mbu
TOP FORM
David de Gea pulled off some outstanding saves against Villarreal tonight.
He also kept a clean sheet, helping confirm United's place in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
- Joshua Mbu
FEEL THE FERN
Heading into tomorrow’s UCL fixtures, Man Utd’s Bruno Fernandes tops the assists charts.
- Joshua Mbu
UNITED WIN FOR SOLSKJAER
Man Utd interim manager Michael Carrick dedicated tonight's 2-0 win over Villarreal to sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho netted to book United's place in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
He told BT Sport: "We came here to win the game, I believed we would.
"We were ready and it was a tough game. The boys dug in and showed a little bit of everything.
"Let’s be honest, I don’t think anyone would have expected to come out here and play pretty football from the word go.
"When you have suffered results-wise and you’re not in a great vein of form, it’s not easy to come out and let everything click.
"We had to dig in and we had to fight and it didn’t go our way at times and the game looked like it was drifting away then the subs made a massive impact. The boys gave everything."
- Joshua Mbu
CARR HA HA
Jamie Carragher brutally mocked Rio Ferdinand with a 'Carrick's at the wheel' tweet after Manchester United beat Villarreal on Tuesday night.
- Joshua Mbu
'HAPPY IN PARIS'
Mauricio Pochettino has insisted he is 'very happy at Paris Saint-Germain' amid Manchester United rumours – but refused to rule out a move to Old Trafford, writes DAVE FRASER.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked on Sunday morning just hours after the 4-1 humiliation at Watford.
On the rumours linking him with United, Pochettino said: "I'm very focused on football.
"I'm, not a child, I've spent my whole life playing football and spent 12 years as a coach – I know rumours will always be there.
"Sometimes positive and negative. But they cannot distract you. That’s football.
"We are focused 100 per cent to get the best result we can. So we can't talk about that.
"I respect my club, PSG. What other clubs are doing is not my problem. I need to focus on PSG.
"I was a player here and love the club and fans. It’s a fantastic time to be at the club.
"Football is today, not tomorrow. Football is about results… two years ago, we left Tottenham and a few weeks before there were a lot of rumours about us and look what happened.
"It’s about winning. It’s about the results.
"My contract is until 2023 – this season and one more. I don’t say anything different.
"I’m happy in Paris – that’s a fact. I’m happy in Paris."
- Joshua Mbu
FT: VILLARREAL 0-2 MAN UTD
A battling if unspectacular Manchester United victory ensures their place in the Last 16 of the Champions League.
Late goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho earn the Premier League side three points in Spain, and get Michael Carrick off to a winning start in his caretaker role.
Villarreal were the better side for long periods, but created little – and when they did, they couldn't find a way past David de Gea.
- Joshua Mbu
VILLARREAL 0-2 MAN UTD
89. It's lift-off for Jadon Sancho's Manchester United career!
At the 15th time of asking, the former Borussia Dortmund forward scores his first goal for his new club, and it's a strike that seals United's place in the Last 16.
Sancho's first United goal is a brilliant one too, finishing off a flowing counter-attack that again stemmed from Fred's endeavour in winning back possession.
Cristiano Ronaldo then starts the move, freeing Marcus Rashford down the left, from where the England man looks up and finds fellow substitute Bruno Fernandes.
For once, Fernandes is sloppy with his control, allowing the ball to run under his boot, but that meant play arrived at Sancho's feet. The forward took a touch to steady himself, and then rocketed an effort in at the near post off the underside of the bar.
It could kickstart Sancho's season! It could kickstart Manchester United's season!
- Joshua Mbu
VILLARREAL 0-1 MAN UTD
78. It hasn't been impressive, it hasn't been pretty, but it doesn't have to be when you have Cristiano Ronaldo in your ranks.
The Portuguese superstar comes to United's rescue yet again, and has put them ahead with just 12 minutes remaining.
Credit must go to Fred, who chases down Etienne Capoue after the midfielder had been sold a difficult pass by goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.
Fred's interception springs the ball up for Ronaldo, who instinctively swivels and lifts a lob over the stranded Rulli to find the net.
Are United about to end their troubled time by sealing qualification from the Champions League group stage?
- Joshua Mbu
RICE RICE BABY
Declan Rice is now attracting interest from top clubs across Europe as well as England.
The 22-year-old holding midfielder has taken his game to another level this season after the Euro 2020 heartbreak with England.
Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool have all registered an interest in Rice.
But now it appears he’s attracting suitors from abroad.
And if West Ham wanted to tie Rice down, it would risk putting themselves into financial trouble.
Eurosport’s Dean Jones said on The Done Deal Show: “There’s not anything particular in terms of talks, but basically, if West Ham are going to keep Declan Rice, they’ve got to almost put the club in financial trouble, because it’s such a big deal to now sign Declan Rice.
“Every big club in the Premier League wants him. There are even clubs, I’m told, abroad that are starting to look at him as the real deal.
“I think personally, he will stay in the Premier League anyway, so I don’t think that’ll come into the question.”
- Joshua Mbu
AP-PAUL-LED
Paul Scholes has sensationally claimed the ENTIRE Manchester United backroom staff should have been sacked alongside Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, writes DAVE FRASER.
The Norwegian, 48, was axed on Sunday morning just hours after the 4-1 mauling at Watford.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash at Villarreal on BT Sport, a fuming Scholes said: "Will they be any better tonight?
"It's the same people running the team. It's the same people who have been given massive responsibility every single week to put that team on the pitch.
"Arguably it's more Kieran McKenna and Michael Carrick who have been preparing the team.
"Ole gave them the responsibility to do that. So how that changes, I don't know…
"I would be embarrassed being on the staff now after what happened to Ole.
"They all should have gone, sacked or gone off their own back.
"They were part of Ole's team. Ole trusted them each week to prepare a team for games.
"They have let the club down – and the players down – just as much as Ole has.
"I just think, if I was in their position now, I'd be feeling guilty still working at this football club after Ole put so much trust in them."
- Joshua Mbu
VILLARREAL 0-0 MAN UTD
48. The game has continued in much the same fashion as the first half.
Any notable tempo is almost non-existent with it being played at something resembling walking pace. Having said that, it's still Villarreal in charge, and their cautious build-up play brings them another corner.
- Joshua Mbu
HT: VILLARREAL 0-0 MAN UTD
Manchester United are 45 minutes away from claiming a favoured point in Spain.
If the plan was to reinforce the defence then Michael Carrick will be pleased with this more resolute United, but the English side have offered little from an attacking perspective.
Villarreal have dominated the play, and have forced David de Gea into a couple of fine stops.
⚽ Read our dedicated live match blog for Manchester United vs Villarreal to keep up to date with all the latest goals and drama
- Joshua Mbu
VILLARREAL 0-0 MAN UTD
41. Seconds after Lindelof had saved United with some alert covering of a cross from left, Van de Beek puts them back in danger.
The Dutchman dives into a challenge just outside of his own penalty box, catche Estupinan on the ankle.
It's a yellow card for Van de Beek, and a chance for Villarreal.
- Joshua Mbu
COVERING THE LITTLE RON
Pregnant Georgina Rodriguez covered up her stomach with a huge coat as she posed for social media, writes JACK FIGG.
The model and football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo are preparing for twins, having recently announced pregnancy.
But still in the early stages Rodriguez covered up as she wrapped up in a massive winter coat.
She has been dating Ronaldo since 2016 and already have one daughter together, Alana Martina.
- Joshua Mbu
VILLARREAL 0-0 MAN UTD
5. It's an all-action beginning in Spain.
At the other end, Moi Gomez takes advantage of Wan-Bissaka backing off, and bursts forward to get a shot away from 20 yards.
The forward's low strike is smartly pushed out by a sprawling De Gea.
- Joshua Mbu
KICK-OFF NEARS
Play will be underway in Spain shortly, and if you can't catch the game live, SunSport has you covered.
A loss for United could put them in danger of finishing third, if results go against them elsewhere.
You can follow our dedicated live match blog by clicking the link below.
⚽ Read our dedicated live match blog for Manchester United vs Villarreal to keep up to date with all the latest goals and drama
- Joshua Mbu
BREAKING: GAME ON
Manchester United are reportedly in talks with former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde to take charge as interim manager, writes ANTHONY CHAPMAN.
The Guardian claims the tactician is already been asked about potential transfers in January.
And United's board reckon he would be a great coach for Cristiano Ronaldo after working well with Lionel Messi at the Nou Camp.
It's claimed Valverde has held talks with United sporting director John Murtough just days after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's sacking.
Michael Carrick will lead the Red Devils in tonight's Champions League clash against Villarreal.
But Valverde is now being lined up to take charge of United until a permanent hire is made next summer.
The Spaniard managed Barca between 2017 and 2020, winning two LaLiga titles and one Copa del Rey.
- Joshua Mbu
RON TOP
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored FIVE Champions League goals in four appearances for Man Utd.
The 36-year-old has nine across all competitions this season.
Source: Read Full Article