Manchester United are closing in on appointing Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager, with the Argentine emerging as the leading candidate to replace Michael Carrick.
The Red Devils are preparing for a managerial change following a disastrous start to the season, and David Ornstein reports that the club are finalising a deal with Pochettino, having won just one of their opening ten Premier League matches.
Some Man Utd players prefer Emery over Pochettino
Pochettino’s contract with the US national team contains a release clause worth approximately £7.5m, and additional compensation would be required for his coaching staff, but the process is straightforward, according to Ornstein.
Key Events Timeline
- May 2026 — Carrick named permanent Manchester United head coach until 2028 after securing Champions League return.
- August 2026 – United lose to newly-promoted Hull City on the opening day of the season.
- October 2026 — Como thrash United 4-1 in the Champions League.
- October 2026 — Captain Bruno Fernandes criticises their tactics, intensifying pressure on Carrick.
- November 2026 — Carrick expected to be sacked as United sit in the relegation zone.
However, talkSPORT report that some senior United players had been hoping the club would instead appoint Aston Villa manager Unai Emery.
The Spaniard has impressed during his time at Villa Park but is currently discussing a contract extension, making a departure unlikely.
Pochettino has a reputation for demanding intense pressing, relentless running and exceptional fitness from his players, with his teams expected to work tirelessly both in and out of possession.
Those methods helped transform Tottenham into Premier League title challengers, but comments from several of his former players suggest United’s struggling squad could be in for a rude awakening.
Danny Rose reveals Pochettino’s gruelling training methods
Former Tottenham defender Danny Rose previously admitted that training under Pochettino involved considerable physical suffering, although he credited the Argentine with improving his performances.
“We do have to work hard in training and I do suffer, but it’s an enjoyable kind of suffering because I’m benefitting so much. I’m far more tactically aware and more consistent.”
Rose was far from the only Tottenham player to experience the demanding regime, with former midfielder Mousa Dembélé admitting that the squad finished training exhausted “every day”.
While both players ultimately welcomed the increased workload, Moisés Caicedo offered a less enthusiastic assessment of Pochettino’s methods following their time together at Brighton and Chelsea: “At Brighton, it was all tactical, just with the ball; tactical, tactical, tactical.
“And at Chelsea, it was run, run, run, and it was very difficult for me.”
Pochettino’s emphasis on physical conditioning is central to his tactical philosophy, with players required to press aggressively, recover possession quickly and maintain their intensity throughout matches.
Such an approach demands complete commitment, something Manchester United’s current squad have repeatedly been accused of lacking.
Man Utd players could struggle with Pochettino’s demands
Manchester United’s players could be in for an enormous shock if Pochettino takes charge, given their repeated struggles to demonstrate the intensity and work rate his system demands.
The Red Devils have regularly appeared lethargic out of possession under Carrick, with several former players questioning whether the squad is prepared to put in the effort required to compete at the highest level.
Gary Neville was particularly furious following September’s draw against Fulham, accusing United’s players of walking around the pitch and failing to show sufficient urgency.
“I’ve never seen a Man Utd team walk out of possession as much as that. Michael has just said there was nothing wrong with the team’s energy.
“Michael has got to stop defending them. I get why he’s defending them; he’s loyal, he wants his players to work for him, and obviously there’s a long way to go in the season.
“Both teams were the same. I called them mannequins. I’ve never seen a United team walk around as much as that. No alertness, no aliveness. No ‘on your toes’. You should always be on your toes.
“Very rarely do I say a team doesn’t work hard or is lacking in effort. That’s the ultimate criticism you can give a group of players.
“I’m always very careful to say that, but in those first 15 minutes of that second half, Man Utd and generally for the first 60 minutes, were a genuine disgrace. Nowhere near good enough without the ball.”
Wayne Rooney has also questioned the squad’s commitment, accusing players of failing to work hard enough during United’s difficult start to the campaign.
“They’re not running, they’re not working, they’re selfish,” the former United striker said.
Those assessments make the prospect of Pochettino’s arrival particularly interesting. His football depends on precisely the qualities Neville and Rooney believe United’s players have been failing to demonstrate.
|
Mauricio Pochettino’s record |
Matches |
Points per match |
|
USA |
35 |
1.91 |
|
Chelsea |
51 |
1.78 |
|
PSG |
84 |
2.15 |
|
Tottenham |
293 |
1.84 |
|
Southampton |
60 |
1.45 |
|
Espanyol |
161 |
1.22 |
Rose and Dembélé both benefited from his gruelling sessions, but Caicedo’s experience illustrates how difficult adapting to those demands can be.
If United’s squad cannot consistently match Carrick’s physical expectations, they could struggle considerably more under Pochettino. His methods are unlikely to suit players unwilling to run, press or sacrifice themselves for the team.
