Mauricio Pochettino meets with Manchester United director Sir Alex Ferguson

The Tottenham manager has been linked with a move to Old Trafford

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino (Getty)

Speculation that Mauricio Pochettino could leave Tottenham for Manchester United has spiked after the Spurs manager was pictured meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson.

Amid Tottenham's impressive season the Argentine has found himself among the favourites to take over at Old Trafford should there be a change of manager at Manchester United. It's thought United are close to axing current boss Louis van Gaal.

When Pochettino verbally agreed a new contract at White Hart Lane at the end of last month, it appeared that speculation was at an end.

However, it's returned after he met with the former Manchester United manager in Mayfair for lunch on Tuesday. The pair were pictured leaving their meeting together. It's understood Spurs’ assistant head coach Jesus Perez was also in attendance.

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson (Getty Images)

Sources at Tottenham say the meeting was cleared by the club after Pochettino told them he planned to meet with the Manchester United director. Spurs are understood to be relaxed about the lunch, which they see as nothing more than a social meeting.

Bookmakers currently have Pochettino as the third favourite to succeed Van Gaal behind Jose Mourinho and Laurent Blanc.