Rio Ferdinand knows who his money would be on to be the next Manchester United boss (Picture: Getty Images)© Provided by Metro Rio Ferdinand knows who his money would be on to be the next Manchester United boss (Picture: Getty Images)

Rio Ferdinand believes Mauricio Pochettino will be appointed Manchester United manager, but not until the summer and has suggested former Red Devils assistant Carlos Quieroz as a possible interim boss until then.

The search is on for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s replacement after the Norwegian was sacked on Sunday and while Michael Carrick will lead the team at Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday, he will not be taking over on a long-term basis.

Pochettino has emerged as the favourite to be the next permanent manager, but Ferdinand does not expect that to happen during the season, with the former Tottenham boss currently in charge of Paris Saint-Germain, with the Red Devils having to wait till the summer to get their man.

Stade Brestois 29 v Paris Saint-Germain - Ligue 1© Provided by Metro Stade Brestois 29 v Paris Saint-Germain – Ligue 1

‘I don’t think that Pochettino leaves PSG during the season,’ he said on Vibe with FIVE. ‘He’s a man or integrity, he’s a man of respect. I think he’s grateful for the opportunity to be at PSG and as a man, I think he’ll just say: “If they want me that bad they’ll wait.”

© Provided by Metro Pochettino is reportedly keen on swapping Paris for Manchester (Picture: Getty Images)

‘I think from the media that we saw over the last couple of years when he was out of work, that for him Man United is the pinnacle, is the club he’d love to get to, get his hands on and guide the club.

‘He’s got a lot of stuff going on at PSG so you have to be respectful in that sense.

‘It’s about what PSG want as well because they’re not the kind of club that will just relinquish their manager.

‘I’m putting money on Pochettino, for the end of the season, start of next season, my money’s on Pochettino being manager.’

That leaves six months for someone else to lead United and, while Ferdinand was by no means firm in his decision on that front, he did suggest a familiar name to Red Devils fans.

‘What about Carlos Quieroz?’ Rio asked. ‘I think if Man United come calling for someone like Carlos Quieroz he drops whatever he’s doing.’

Carlos Queiroz would be a surprise return to Old Trafford (Picture: Getty Images)© Provided by Metro Carlos Queiroz would be a surprise return to Old Trafford (Picture: Getty Images)

What the 68-year-old is currently doing is managing Egypt. Quieroz left his second stint as Manchester United assistant in 2008 and has since managed Portugal, Iran, Colombia and took up his current role in September this year.

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