Mauricio Pochettino has been tipped to make Real Madrid defender and former Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger his first signing as Manchester United manager.
Pochettino is set to take charge at Old Trafford and replace Michael Carrick, who faces the sack following a dismal start to the season. United sit 18th in the Premier League after ten games, their lowest position at this stage of a campaign since 1986.
Pochettino closing in on United job
Old Trafford bosses held a review into Carrick's position earlier this week and appear to have decided to make a change in the dugout. Eddie Howe, Fabian Hurzeler, Unai Emery, Antonio Conte and Julian Nagelsmann have all been linked with the job in recent weeks.
But United chose Pochettino as their first-choice pick this week and are currently finalising a deal to bring the Argentine back to the Premier League. Pochettino, who will step down as head coach of the USA to take over at United, has previously worked at Southampton, Tottenham, Chelsea, Espanyol and PSG.
Austin: United need a whole new back-four
One of United's biggest problems this season has been a fragile defence, and former Premier League striker Charlie Austin insists Pochettino needs a whole new back-four. Austin believes Pochettino could look to sign someone like Rudiger, the Real Madrid and Germany centre-back who spent five years in England with Chelsea.
'Manchester United need a whole new back-four,' Austin told OLBG. 'That's first and foremost. They need someone who's going to be aggressive. They've got Lisandro Martinez, but unfortunately he's injured at the moment. The problem is that there isn't just one player Manchester United needs. They're in a sorry state of affairs at the moment. They need a whole new back-four.'
'Their back-four is exactly the same as the one they had when they got beaten 7-0 by Liverpool. So that's your starting point? I wouldn't be surprised if Pochettino went for someone like Antonio Rudiger. Someone of that ilk: experienced, knows the Premier League, still mobile and still athletic. That's where I think they should be looking. Then you can build the defence around someone like that and bring in younger players.'
Palmer also linked
Austin also wondered whether Pochettino could target his former Chelsea player Cole Palmer after taking over at United. Palmer enjoyed playing under Pochettino and was tentatively linked with a move to Old Trafford last summer amid reports he was not completely settled at Stamford Bridge.
'Cole Palmer was phenomenal under Pochettino,' Austin added. 'He was unbelievable when he first came to Chelsea. I wouldn't put it past Pochettino. Chelsea and Manchester United do seem to have a strange relationship in the transfer market.'
If appointed, Pochettino's first game in charge of the Red Devils will likely be a daunting trip to Anfield to face Liverpool immediately after the international break.
