Ralf Rangnick was spotted in the stands of Old Trafford alongside Monaco sporting director Paul Mitchell for the quarter-final of the FA Youth Cup win between the Red Devils and Leicester City

It is unclear why the pair were together on Thursday, but the sight of Mitchell in Manchester is bound to spark speculation given his connection to Mauricio Pochettino.

Current Paris Saint-Germain manager Pochettino worked with Mitchell at both Southampton and Tottenham.

Pochettino is one of the favourites to take over from Rangnick at Man United at the end of the season.

The Argentine is on a shortlist that also includes Ajax boss Erik ten Hag, Spain manager Luis Enrique, Inter Milan’s Simeone Inzaghi and Bayern Munich’s Julian Nagelsmann.

Rangnick is set to move upstairs at Old Trafford to work a two-year consultancy role after coaching the first team this season.

The German has endured a somewhat difficult spell in the hot seat after taking the reins from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November 2021.

Last time out the Red Devils snatched a draw in the first leg of their Champions League knockout clash with Atletico Madrid.

Super substitute Anthony Elanga came off the bench to grab an all-important equaliser with time running out at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.