Manchester United have been linked with making a sensational swoop for Mauricio Pochettino in the event they part ways with Michael Carrick

Mauricio Pochettino will demand a box of lemons is allowed into the Manchester United manager's office in the event he succeeds Michael Carrick as head coach, as he believes they absorb negative energy. The Argentine tactician currently finds himself as the bookies' favourite to take up tenure at Old Trafford should Sir Jim Ratcliffe opt to make a change in management.

Carrick's future with the Reds is up in the air following a torrid start to the new Premier League season which has seen United clinch just eight points from their opening 10 matches. They sit 18th in the league table as a result of what has been their poorest start to a term in 40 years.

Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada are set to meet with Ratcliffe at a senior Ineos staff conference in Monaco on Wednesday, where it is expected that the director of sport and CEO will present a notion to move on from Carrick. If United decide to take that course of action, then they will have the remainder of the November international break to find a suitable successor.

Many consider that man to be Pochettino, albeit, securing the 54-year-old's services could be a costly endeavour. The former Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Southampton head is currently under contract with the United States national team until 2031.

However, it is understood that Pochettino's current deal contains a release clause to the tune of $10million (£7.44m). Combine that with the estimated £3m severance that the club will have to pay Carrick for his dismissal due to a one-year break clause, and Ratcliffe's Reds will have to shell out in excess of £10m in hiring and firing.

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However, the board will also have to allow Pochettino to make a slight change to the manager's office in the form of allowing him to keep a box of lemons in there at all times. Reports suggest that the head coach believes that lemons absorb negative energy.

Speaking on the Overlap about the quirk, Pochettino explained: "First of all, you need to understand the nature. Nature is around us.

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"If you are not connecting with nature, it’s difficult. And I think, for me, 100 per cent. I really believe they have an effect in attracting the bad energy."

It remains to be seen whether Ratcliffe will make the decision to part ways with Carrick, or whether he will afford the Englishman more time to reverse fortunes. One counter proposal comes in the form of recruiting Bayern Munich assistant, Aaron Danks.

The 43-year-old is an integral part of Vincent Kompany's set-up in Bavaria, but has previously served under Carrick at Middlesbrough. There are hopes that reinforcement within the coaching ranks could help turn the tide at United, expecially considering the bond that Danks and Carrick share.