OPINION
It should not just be Manchester United’s fans on cloud nine today after one of the most remarkable results in Champions League and European Cup history on Wednesday night.
The entire Tottenham fanbase will surely also be walking on air, safe in the knowledge that Mauricio Pochettino will not be heading to Old Trafford this summer.
That possibility, which, according to many reports and pundits, was all but nailed-on in December when Jose Mourinho was sacked, was extinguished for good by United’s incredible comeback to beat Paris St-Germain on away goals and reach the Champions League quarter-finals.
The odds were stacked against the Manchester giants in Paris – one bookmaker had them 22-1 outsiders – but they became the first team in Champions League and European Cup history, at the 107th time of asking, to overcome a 2-0 or greater home first-leg deficit.
How can United not now make caretaker Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer their next permanent manager?
The Norwegian has overseen a remarkable turnaround which has seen the side collect 14 victories from 17 games in all competitions, including away wins at Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea and now PSG.
That is great news for Spurs fans who feared Pochettino would be enticed by the greater financial resources of United after appearing to have hit a wall in north London.
The door to Old Trafford now appears close to the Argentine, whose popularity among supporters has soared following their team’s passage to the Champions League quarter-finals 24 hours earlier than United.
How Lilywhites would love Pochettino to see out the four years remaining on the lucrative new contract he signed last year.
They believe the club’s best manager of the Premier League era has unfinished business, and the likelihood of him completing it has significantly increased.