Mauricio Pochettino broke down in tears in his first interview since it was confirmed he would be leaving the United States for Manchester United. Speaking about his decision, he said: "I never said I wanted to go back but they know there aren't too many opportunities that happen in your career like Manchester United. When it arrives, it's difficult to turn down."
Pochettino has long coveted the United job, having been interviewed for it three times previously. Now that he has secured it, he faces a daunting task given the club's current turmoil following the sacking of Michael Carrick. He is due to arrive in Manchester next week, with just days to prepare for a trip to Anfield.
Behind-the-scenes challenges
Pochettino is likely to have a high opinion of the people who appointed him, but that perception may soon change given the chaotic state of the club's hierarchy. Director of football Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada have faced intense scrutiny from supporters after a series of poor decisions, but they are not the only ones responsible.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the minority shareholder, holds the final say on decisions after the Glazer family ceded control of sporting operations to INEOS two and a half years ago. This has created a muddied picture behind the scenes, with reports of friction surfacing amid the team's dreadful start to the season. To succeed long-term at Old Trafford, Pochettino will need to be a football manager, a politician, and a diplomat all rolled into one.
Dressing room and defensive issues
The dressing room has become leaky, with Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez expressing their feelings in public interviews. Former United boss Erik ten Hag recently spoke of a "toxic culture" during his tenure, blaming the influence of players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Casemiro, and Raphael Varane. Carrick, despite the poor results, left with lingering goodwill from the players, which Pochettino will need to overcome.
United sit 18th in the Premier League with eight points from 10 games. Their defence has been a major concern, with just one clean sheet all season and 30 goals conceded in all competitions, the joint most of any side in Europe's top five leagues along with Crystal Palace and Sassuolo. Pochettino, known for demanding high fitness levels for his pressing game, will need to sort out the basics first.
Effort and squad depth
United have consistently been out-run by opponents this season, highlighted by their 1-1 draw with Fulham in September, when Gary Neville called the players an "absolute disgrace" for their lack of effort. Only Liverpool average less than United's 102.4km per match in the Premier League this season.
The squad is also thin, with United failing to sign a left-back or striker in the summer transfer window. Injuries to Benjamin Sesko, Marcus Rashford, Carlos Baleba, Manuel Ugarte, and Maguire have compounded the issue. The January transfer window cannot come soon enough, but Pochettino is unlikely to receive significant funds, with the loan market expected to be the focus.
