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EVERTON boss Marco Silva insists there is no way Mauricio Pochettino will be distracted by links to the Manchester United job.

The Tottenham manager, who takes his side to Goodison Park tomorrow, has been tipped to eventually take the reins at Old Trafford after Jose Mourinho’s sacking this week.

But Silva insisted Pochettino will not lose focus on his job at Spurs, saying: “No way, no chance. When you are a manager or a coach, every day you just have one thing on your mind – work with the players, get the squad better and prepare for the next match.

“I see him smiling every day when he’s asked about the situation. What he’s doing is fantastic but I hope he doesn’t have a good day on Sunday because I want us to be better.”

Silva is a close friend of his fellow Portuguese Mourinho and believes his sacking is bad for football.

He said: “Football needs the best managers in the world inside it – and Jose is one of the best managers in the world.

“It’s the same with a player like Kevin De Bruyne when he was out for a few months. Football needs Kevin De Bruyne and if Jose is out, it’s also bad for football.

“He will come back even stronger than he was at Manchester United and be ready to win again.

“He’s a winner, he’s won in every country and he will win again and come back stronger.”

Everton have won only one of their last six in the league while

Spurs have won five out of their last six. This will be the first time this season the Toffees will welcome a top-six club to Goodison and Silva is keen to show his side has bridged the gap.

He will be able to call on top scorer Richarlison, who has recovered from illness, and midfielder Andre Gomes, but Idrissa Gueye remains a doubt after missing last week’s defeat at Manchester City.

The Everton boss refused to be drawn on any moves in the January transfer market but said he was speaking with director of football Marcel Brands every day.