Mauricio Pochettino has succeeded Michael Carrick as Manchester United manager, with the club in the relegation zone and without a Premier League win since August.
United confirmed Pochettino's arrival after Carrick's sacking on Thursday, and the Argentine will be in place ahead of next weekend's trip to Liverpool. Pochettino will step down from his position as USA national team head coach after their upcoming two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarter-final tie against Haiti.
Squad overhaul needed
Pochettino faces a huge task, with United's squad described as a mismatch of profiles and tactical fits from different managers. The squad is in desperate need of an overhaul, and Pochettino, with his own strictly defined style, will have ideas about who he wants to keep.
Standard Sport has identified the potential winners and losers from Pochettino's appointment at Old Trafford.
Winners under Pochettino
Patrick Dorgu, a 22-year-old Danish left-back, has found his minutes restricted this term despite playing an important role in United's resurgence towards the end of last season. He has earned a reputation as a defensive liability, and a hamstring injury saw him fall out of favour under Carrick. Pochettino has tended to deploy explosive attacking full-backs, and Dorgu's physicality and instinctive attacking movement could make him an unpredictable presence in the final third.
Kobbie Mainoo, massively underutilised since his breakthrough season under Erik ten Hag, is the sort of young, mobile presence Pochettino would be looking for in midfield. The epicentre of Pochettino's Spurs side was Mousa Dembele, lauded for his ability to withstand pressure and carry the ball from deep. Those are attributes Mainoo has in abundance, and he would surely benefit from Pochettino's nurturing personality.
Mateus Cunha has a difficult profile to nail down, not quite a striker and not quite a No10. He has shown glimpses of his quality at United and has the intensity and character to deliver under pressure, but his inconsistency lets him down. Pochettino played a pivotal role in developing Dele Alli into a uniquely talented player at Tottenham, and Cunha could benefit from similar guidance.
Losers under Pochettino
Luke Shaw may have been given his break under Pochettino when the pair were at Southampton, but 14 years later, the game has moved on. Shaw has been broken by injuries and cannot be relied upon to perform the responsibilities Pochettino needs from his full-backs. It is now best for all parties if he moves on at the end of his contract.
Harry Maguire is a strong leader and resilient character, but he has not been good enough for United. The 33-year-old should take credit for saving his United career after being booed by his own fans, but there is no space for sentimentality, and Pochettino would be wise to inform Maguire to look for a move away. In Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt, fitness permitting, United have two centre-backs who complement each other well.
Youri Tielemans, who arrived at the club over the summer, has struggled with the step up at United and has routinely been exposed for his lack of mobility. His best attributes are not well suited to the style Pochettino likes to play, and he could be moved aside as United search for more pace and energy in the middle of the park.
