With the latest trending reports, Michael Carrick has been sacked after a dismal start to the season, and the possibility of seeing former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino at Man United is becoming an increasingly interesting talking point.
Once again, as in previous campaigns, Manchester United find themselves in the middle of a managerial crisis following their worst start to a domestic campaign in 40 years. The Red Devils are desperate to get their season back on track after the international break.
Having collected just eight points from their opening 10 Premier League matches, they currently sit 18th in the table, which had intensified the pressure on Carrick. Had it not been for Dorgu’s controversial last-minute goal against Aston Villa, the manager and his players would have suffered their fifth defeat of the campaign.
Given the direction the club appears to be heading, United may need an experienced Premier League manager capable of navigating the immediate crisis.
Reports suggest that Pochettino is currently one of the strongest candidates on the market to become Manchester United’s next head coach, although former Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe and ex-Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann have also been linked with the position. Nevertheless, it is the Argentine whose links to Old Trafford appear to be gathering the most attention.
Pochettino’s time at Tottenham demonstrated his ability to build exciting teams around high-pressing football and emerging young talents. His work with players such as Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Son Heung-min remains a significant part of his managerial legacy.
However, Pochettino at Man United would represent an entirely different challenge. Taking charge of a struggling side in November, with confidence low and the threat of relegation, would leave the Argentine with little time to settle into his new surroundings.
Rather than immediately implementing his preferred philosophy and building for the future, Pochettino could be forced to prioritise survival, make difficult squad decisions and address problems that extend beyond tactics.
However, if he is confirmed as Manchester United’s next head coach, here are three aspects of the club’s football and overall direction that could look very different under his leadership.
1) Pochettino at Man United: A Gegenpress Shock to the System
One of the first things to expect if Pochettino’s appointment at Man United becomes a reality is a significant change in the club’s approach to football. The Argentine has built much of his managerial identity around aggressive pressing, quick transitions and intense physical demands.
During his time at Tottenham, he transformed the North London side into one of the most energetic teams in the Premier League, using a coordinated high press to suffocate opponents and force mistakes in dangerous areas. His subsequent spells at PSG and Chelsea also demonstrated his preference for controlling games through intensity and aggressive off-the-ball movement.
This is in stark contrast to what Manchester United have produced this season. The Red Devils are currently second on the list of Premier League clubs that have covered the least distance, a worrying statistic that reflects their struggles with intensity and off-the-ball work.
It has also been a recurring source of criticism directed at Michael Carrick and his team’s approach to games. Their defeat against Como in the Champions League was a glaring example of the problems, exposing the lack of urgency and energy that has become increasingly associated with their performances.
Pochettino, however, is unlikely to tolerate such a lack of intensity.
His teams are expected to press aggressively, close down spaces and work relentlessly to win possession back. If the Argentine becomes Manchester United’s next head coach, improving the squad’s physical output and collective pressing could become some of his earliest priorities.
However, implementing this philosophy at the club midway through the season would not be straightforward. The current squad has struggled with consistency, and the lack of a clearly defined tactical identity has become a growing concern. Pochettino is unlikely to abandon his principles simply to accommodate players who cannot meet his expectations.
Instead, supporters could witness a demanding adjustment period, with the Argentine potentially using the upcoming training sessions to improve the squad’s fitness, pressing coordination and ability to recover possession quickly.
A rigid 4-2-3-1 formation could also become a possibility, particularly if Pochettino at Man United decides to establish a more structured midfield while maintaining attacking intensity. Players such as Bruno Fernandes could benefit from greater freedom in the attacking midfield position, while Joshua Zirkzee could be given an opportunity to operate as a link-up striker if he demonstrates the work rate required.
The midfield partnership would equally become important, as Pochettino would need players capable of covering ground, winning second balls and quickly transitioning from defence to attack.
Perhaps the biggest casualties of this tactical adjustment would be players who struggle with the physical demands of his system. Those unwilling or unable to press consistently could find themselves spending more time on the bench, regardless of their reputation or previous importance to the team.
Ultimately, if Pochettino is appointed Manchester United’s next head coach, his arrival could bring a significant change in expectations at the club. It would no longer be enough for players to simply demonstrate individual quality; they would also have to prove they could contribute to a collective system built around intensity, discipline and relentless work off the ball.
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2) Slaying the Ego Monster: Could Pochettino Strip the Captain’s Armband?
Another significant change that could come with Pochettino at Man United is a shift in the relationship between the manager and the dressing room. The Argentine is often regarded as a manager who builds strong personal relationships with his players, but that should not be mistaken for an unwillingness to make difficult decisions.
Throughout his managerial career, Pochettino has demonstrated that he values collective discipline and commitment over individual reputations. His time at PSG, in particular, exposed the difficulties of managing a dressing room filled with established superstars, while his Tottenham tenure showed his willingness to make unpopular selection decisions when necessary.
This could become particularly relevant at Old Trafford if Pochettino is appointed as Manchester United’s next head coach. Tensions surrounding the club’s performances, tactical direction and internal decision-making have occasionally spilt into the public domain, with club captain Bruno Fernandes and defender Lisandro Martínez both making their frustrations known.
Although having players who are willing to express their frustrations is not necessarily a problem, Pochettino would want to ensure that disagreements do not undermine his authority or create divisions within the squad.
Consequently, players within the Manchester United squad could find themselves dealing with a very different kind of managerial relationship. It would hardly be surprising if Pochettino made a bold statement by dropping players who publicly challenge his methods or question his tactical decisions, particularly when results are not going his way. He could also consider making changes to the club’s leadership structure to reinforce his authority.
Ultimately, one thing would become clear under Pochettino at Man United: no player is bigger than the team. At a club where managerial authority has repeatedly come under scrutiny, restoring discipline, accountability and respect for the manager’s decisions could prove just as important as improving performances on the pitch.
3) The Relegation-Scrap Pivot: Pragmatism Over ‘Poch-Ball’
Perhaps the biggest misconception surrounding Pochettino at Man United is the expectation that the club would immediately return to playing expansive, attacking football. The Argentine has built his managerial reputation around energetic, high-pressing teams that look to dominate opponents and play on the front foot.
This was evident during the 2026 World Cup, where he guided the United States to the Round of 16, recording three victories and overseeing an attacking side that scored 11 goals in five matches before eventually being eliminated by Belgium.
But the circumstances surrounding a possible arrival at Old Trafford could force him to temporarily abandon some of those ideals. With United in the relegation zone, his immediate responsibility would not be to entertain supporters or establish an attractive playing identity but to get the club away from the bottom three.
Rather than insisting on a high defensive line, committing several players forward and taking unnecessary risks, the former Chelsea coach may prioritise defensive organisation, compactness and limiting the opposition’s opportunities.
There could be matches where United are forced to surrender possession, defend deeper and rely on quick counterattacks to create scoring opportunities. Consequently, supporters may have to wait a little longer to see the attractive, attacking football associated with Pochettino’s Tottenham side until he has had sufficient time to implement his philosophy. After all, when a club is fighting for survival, results will matter considerably more than style.
The timing of the Argentine’s potential appointment as Manchester United’s next head coach would also make the task particularly difficult. A looming debut against bitter rivals Liverpool at Anfield in less than two weeks would offer little opportunity for a lengthy tactical transition, especially with both sides currently struggling for form.
Walking into one of English football’s most hostile away grounds with an underperforming squad would require immediate solutions rather than an elaborate footballing philosophy. Pochettino would have to find a way to make United difficult to beat, even if that means sacrificing some of the attacking freedom his teams are traditionally known for.
During his first few months at Man United, grinding out narrow victories, keeping clean sheets and collecting valuable points could become the priority. Even an ugly 1-0 win would represent progress if it helps the club climb the table. Before thinking about challenging for European places or returning to the top of English football, the first responsibility of Manchester United’s next head coach would be to ensure the club remains in the League.
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Given how things have unfolded at Old Trafford, it is hardly surprising that Carrick has been dismissed. Whoever becomes Manchester United’s next head coach, whether on an interim or permanent basis, will be the 12th person to take charge of the dugout in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Over the years, several former managers have openly highlighted what Manchester United need to get back to the top: managerial stability, full backing in the transfer market and a squad of players who are genuinely committed to playing for the club. United need individuals who are willing to fight for the badge, rather than those attracted primarily by the lucrative contracts and financial rewards that come with playing at Old Trafford.
Pochettino’s managerial record, meanwhile, offers reasons for optimism. The Argentine guided Chelsea to Champions League qualification and won three trophies with Paris Saint-Germain: Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the Trophée des Champions.
Although these achievements were expected given the quality of his squad, he was also tasked with managing a dressing room containing Kylian Mbappé – a potential Ballon d’Or winner – Lionel Messi and Neymar.
His achievements at Tottenham were arguably even more impressive, guiding them to a Champions League final and finishing second in a fiercely contested Premier League title race. More recently, he led the United States to the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup.
However, his appointment alone would not guarantee an immediate turnaround. If the club’s hierarchy is serious about restoring United to their former standing, the Argentine would need more than just a promising squad on paper. He would need the time to implement his ideas, the backing to address weaknesses in the team and the authority to build a dressing room filled with players who share his ambitions.
Ultimately, Pochettino could be the man to change Manchester United’s fortunes, but only if the club is prepared to change the conditions that have contributed to its repeated managerial failures.
After years of instability and expensive false starts, perhaps the biggest test will not be whether Pochettino can turn United around, but whether the people above him are finally willing to give a manager the support and patience required to do so.
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