Mauricio Pochettino will officially take charge of Manchester United on Wednesday, November 18, after the club agreed to pay a £7.4 million buyout clause to release him from the US Soccer Federation. His first match in charge will be a difficult away trip to Liverpool on Sunday, November 22.
Arrival and Contract Details
Before flying to Manchester to meet club executives and lead his first training session, Pochettino will fulfil his final duties with the United States in their Concacaf Nations League quarter-final legs against Haiti on November 14 and November 17. The 54-year-old has agreed to a two-and-a-half-year contract, keeping him at Old Trafford until 2029.
United also agreed to pay the buyout clause to release Pochettino and his trusted backroom staff from the US Soccer Federation.
Opening Fixtures
Following his debut at Anfield, Pochettino leads United into a Champions League clash away against Sporting CP in Lisbon on November 25 before making his Old Trafford bow against Brentford on November 28.
Pochettino is expected to deploy his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, emphasising a high-pressing approach and structured build-up play from the back.
Potential Starting XI and Injury Concerns
The potential starting XI features Senne Lammens in goal behind a back four of Noussair Mazraoui (or Diogo Dalot), Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw (or Dalot). Kobbie Mainoo and Youri Tielemans could anchor the midfield behind playmaker and captain Bruno Fernandes, with Amad and Matheus Cunha down the flanks and Bryan Mbeumo through the middle.
Selection options for the trip to Merseyside are restricted by several confirmed long-term injuries. Manuel Ugarte remains sidelined until around April 2027 with a cruciate ligament injury, Benjamin Sesko is out until January with a shin problem, while Carlos Baleba has a hamstring issue.
Harry Maguire came off with a back problem in the 4-4 with Aston Villa and may not be risked. Shaw, who played under Pochettino at Southampton, could be available after injury, as could Marcus Rashford, who was almost available for the Villa game.
