Pochettino dodges Man Utd links as he 'does not want to upset' Spurs press officer

Poch, 46, was quizzed on the Old Trafford job after masterminding his side to an emphatic 6-2 victory at Everton this afternoon.

But after his head of communications stepped in earlier in the week to prevent him discussing a move, Pochettino toed the party line in exemplary fashion.

A reporter asked him if he could give Spurs fans the perfect Christmas present by guaranteeing he will still be with the club next season.

Press officer Simon Felstein interjected first and said: "Sorry, we've done this already. We're not going over this again. We've done it on Tuesday."

But Poch then added: "I think it’s fantastic to win the game and the fans are happy to start the Christmas period that way. They deserve everything.

"There’s a lot of rumour. I don’t want this guy (the press officer) to become upset. We need to be focused on our job and try do our best to be successful."

Tottenham's board and fans are worried the Argentine boss will be tempted by a summer switch to Manchester United.

These fears were intensified when he repeated a response this week that he used just 18 days before he quit Southampton for Spurs in 2014.

Wayne Rooney made matters worse for the Londoners when he chipped in with his own endorsement of Poch for the United job.

Pochettino is the favourite with many bookmakers to become United's next permanent manager come the summer.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is in temporary charge until the end of the season and is another likely candidate while Zinedine Zidane is the third name in the frame.

Solskjaer got off to the perfect start as interim boss as his free-flowing United side swept Cardiff away last night.

But Poch went one step further as Tottenham smashed Everton for six at Goodison Park.

Harry Kane grabbed two, as did Son Heung-min, while Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen also scored to keep pace with the top two.

Spurs will be six points behind Liverpool on Christmas Day but just two off reigning champions Manchester City.

Pochettino said: "We still believe Liverpool and Man City are the real contenders and the favourites to win the Premier League. We are there, so are Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United.

"There's still a long way. Still a long way to say if we are a real contender or not as it's still so early."

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