Harry Kane sends Manchester United message over Mauricio Pochettino move

Harry Kane has paid tribute to former manager Mauricio Pochettino as the Ballon d’Or winner prepares to break England’s all-time men’s appearance record.Kane is set to surpass Peter Shilton as England’s all-time appearance-maker in senior men’s football on Thursday night when he features against Croatia in the Nations League at Wembley.Kane has come a long way since his breakthrough campaign at Tottenham during the 2014/15 season, when he notched 21 Premier League goals, as Pochettino’s young team narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification.Mentor: Mauricio Pochettino played a crucial role in Harry Kane’s Tottenham successAFP via Getty ImagesFollowing a six-game goalless run at the start of the next campaign, Kane was famously dubbed as a one-season wonder, but he credits Pochettino’s guidance with helping him defy his critics to push on and become Spurs’ and England’s all-time record goalscorer.“Yeah, me and Mauricio obviously have a fantastic relationship. I think, again, I mentioned him as one of the coaches that had a big impact on my career and definitely my development,” Kane said.“At that stage of my career, I needed his guidance and the way he pushed me, not just on the pitch but off the pitch as well, was really, really helpful.”Pochettino is currently in charge of the USA men’s national team, but Standard Sport understands that Manchester United have checked on his availability as they potentially look for a successor to Michael Carrick.Carrick is under fire and at serious risk of losing his job with United currently in the Premier League relegation zone, and they have long held an interest in Pochettino.“He’s managed the biggest clubs in the world. So yeah, from my point of view, I can’t speak highly enough of him,” Kane continued.“So yeah, we’ll have to wait and see what happens. But I know he’s a great guy, but also a fantastic manager.”