Wayne Rooney has told CNN Mauricio Pochettino is the right person for Manchester United to target as their next permanent manager if they decide not to give the job to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Rooney told ESPN FC that United should go "all out" for Tottenham boss Pochettino because of his ability to bring the best out of his players and for his record at promoting young talent.
Solskjaer, who is in the role on a caretaker basis until the end of the season, is unbeaten in his first 10 games, winning nine, which Rooney said gives him a shot at the job full time.
"Ole Gunnar's a fantastic person," Rooney said. "I think, the club will have a decision to make at the end of the season and it'd be nice to see Ole Gunnar continue with this form and get a shot at the job on a permanent basis.
"But if not, if the club go to choose from somewhere else, then I think Pochettino would be the right guy."
Sources told ESPN FC last month that United are determined to assess all options in the event of being unable to land top target Pochettino but that the Spurs boss remains the first-choice candidate of Ed Woodward, the Old Trafford executive vice-chairman, and the club's owners, the Florida-based Glazer family.
However, United are also considering the merits of Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri, Atletico Madrid's Diego Simeone, former Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane and England boss Gareth Southgate.
Former England captain Wayne Rooney, who helped revitalise one of Major League Soccer's original superpowers when he joined D.C. United last year, also said he feels he possesses the quality to compete in the Premier League.
Rooney and United open the MLS season on March 3 against defending champions Atlanta United (6 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN Deportes).