How Man United could line up on first day of season with Mauricio Pochettino as manager

How Man United could line up on first day of season with Mauricio Pochettino as manager

Chelsea have announced that they have parted ways with Mauricio Pochettino as manager. With the pressure looming over Erik ten Hag, the Argentinian tactician has emerged as a contender to replace the former Ajax head coach.

The London club struggled in the early stages of the season but it seemingly clicked in time for the Blues to mount a late European surge, qualifying for Europe ahead of United.

Following the news from the capital, the 52-year-old emerged as the favourite to be in the home dugout at Old Trafford in August.

Pochettino is no stranger to being the favourite to land the coveted Man United managerial job, he was previously the frontrunner to succeed in 2019, only for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to be appointed, and in 2022, but Ten Hag was appointed to steer the club.

There is still an FA Cup final to be played for Ten Hag as he looks to pick up a second piece of silverware since making the move from the Eredivisie two years ago.

But pressure still remains after a torrid campaign that was their worst season for 30 years – conceding 58 goals in this campaign – 15 more than the previous year – keeping just nine clean sheets.

Something is brewing at the Theatre of Dreams. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his taskforce, which has appointed Omar Berrarda and Jason Wilcox in the footballing hierarchy, are looking to guide United back to the top of the table after several disappointing performances in the English top-flight.

After difficult spells with PSG and Chelsea, stability is likely to be what is needed for Pochettino and with the recent changes in Manchester – plus the track record of sticking by managers during difficult periods, it is the perfect opportunity for the Argentine to win silverware.

Pochettino tends to set his teams up in 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formations. With a big summer ahead, there is likely to be changes across the playing squad with incomings and outgoings. In goal, the tactician could look to keep continuity with his shot-stopper.

Andre Onana signed a bumper deal to bring him from Inter Milan and the MEN reported last month that the Cameroon shot-stopper is among the four players excluded from the list that the club are willing to listen to offers for.

Internally, United are already recruiting for the spine of the starting XI with a central defender, midfielder and forward pinpointed as an area for change.

Luke Shaw has struggled with injuries and his issues formed a severe problem for Ten Hag by the conclusion of the Premier League campaign.

Victor Lindelof and Diogo Dalot were forced to play out of position in the left-sided position but this summer’s spending could spark change in that department.

Real Betis defender Juan Miranda has been mooted as an option for United with speculation suggesting he could be linked with a Premier League switch.

Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong has been named as an option for the club after monitoring the defender.

With Aaron Wan-Bissaka out of contract next year, it is expected that the England defender will likely be sold, allowing a place in the right-back department to become open.

Frimpong has made 45 appearances for the club, missing one match through suspension in the Bundesliga, while being rested in only five matches (two in the Bundesliga, three in the Europa League).

Another defender United are interested in is Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, the 21-year-old was included in England’s provisional squad for the European Championships after a superb campaign at Goodison Park.