Mauricio Pochettino is set to take charge at Manchester United as Michael Carrick’s replacement, leading fans to speculate on what his first starting XI will look like.
The Red Devils return from the final international break of 2026 to face the daunting prospect of visiting arch-rivals Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday, November 22.
Pochettino's challenge at United
Pochettino inherits a side with just one win in 10 top-flight games this term, a string of results that have left Man Utd in the relegation zone.
The Argentine’s style of play centres around a high-press and an ability to build play from the back - two things United have struggled with so far this season.
Injuries across the pitch will impact Pochettino’s selection, with Carlos Baleba and Benjamin Sesko definitely ruled out for the trip to Anfield.
Predicted backline and midfield
In goal, Senne Lammens is established first-choice and that is unlikely to change with Pochettino’s arrival.
Interestingly, Pochettino might be tempted to copy Carrick and play Leny Yoro at right-back. Out of possession the right-back tucks in to form a three-man defence in Pochettino’s favoured system, but with an actual left-back fit, there is little reason to play defenders out of position.
For that reason, Diogo Dalot will likely start at right-back, with a much more simple defensive approach. Yoro and Ayden Heaven in the heart of defence could give United a bit more pace than a backline featuring Harry Maguire, but the experience of Lisandro Martinez may be hard to ignore as Pochettino balances a squad lacking in confidence.
Patrick Dorgu seems a strong fit at left back. Antonee Robinson loved to get forward for Pochettino while on USA duty, and the wing-back is a proven attacking threat.
With the USA, Pochettino has settled on a 4-3-3 formation, with the midfield featuring a sitting player behind two more proactive team-mates.
Midfield and attack options
Pochettino’s immediate issue with the United squad will be the fact there is no clear candidate as a holding midfielder. The injured Baleba does well at screening the backline, but his strengths rely on driving forward with the ball.
It is a similar story for Andrey Santos - a midfielder that is still unsure whether his best position is as a No6, 8, or 10.
The deep-lying playmaker role is a battle between Kobbie Mainoo and Youri Tielemans. Pochettino has shown a tendency to trust young, talented players, so it would not be a surprise to see the former Tottenham manager try and work his magic with Mainoo.
Tielemans could play the box-to-box role alongside Mainoo, offering experience during the transition to Pochettino’s ideal approach.
While Pochettino has utilised a deeper player in the middle of the park with the USA, it is likely that he will instead have to build a more attacking midfield at United.
That is because club captain Bruno Fernandes is clearly the Red Devils’ best player, which merits his inclusion.
Matheus Cunha looks a good fit on the left wing as a creative spark, while Bryan Mbeumo’s pace down the right wing would allow Pochettino to create a similar attacking shape to his USA side.
However, with United’s striking options limited, it would not be a surprise for Mbeumo to lead the line, with Amad Diallo playing instead on the right.
Predicted Manchester United XI vs Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Martinez, Dorgu; Tielemans, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo
