Unai Emery doesn’t understand why Mauricio Pochettino would leave Tottenham to go to Manchester United.

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 28: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on ahead of the UEFA Champions League Group B match between Tottenham Hotspur and FC Internazionale at Wembley Stadium on November 28, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 28: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on ahead of the UEFA Champions League Group B match between Tottenham Hotspur and FC Internazionale at Wembley Stadium on November 28, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Speaking ahead of the Carabao Cup quarter-final between Arsenal and Spurs on Wednesday night, Emery was asked about the Spurs’ manager being linked with the now-vacant Manchester United post. Pochettino is said to be the favourite for the role even though he could cost United £40m after signing a new long-term deal recently.

“I think he’s very happy at Tottenham,” Emery said. “I think he’s coaching a very big team, with very big players. They are now in the Champions League [last 16] and they are also in a better position in the Premier League than Manchester United.

Manchester United's Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho (L) shakes hands with Arsenal's Spanish head coach Unai Emery (R) at the end of the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on December 5, 2018. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)
Manchester United’s Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho (L) shakes hands with Arsenal’s Spanish head coach Unai Emery (R) at the end of the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on December 5, 2018. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)

“I think his performance at Tottenham is very big. I don’t know if he’s thinking to change but I am looking at him with a very big commitment to Tottenham and he’s creating a good performance too, a good idea. Tottenham have improved a lot with him.”

While all that is true it’s hard to knock Pochettino if he is thinking of moving.

United might be in a slump right now while Spurs are on a high, but the Manchester side are still winning trophies despite being awful. Then there is, of course, the history and legacy of Manchester United which eclipses Spurs by some distance.

Tottenham fans may not want to hear that, but it’s the truth no matter what they try to tell themselves.