Mauricio Pochettino is expected to become Manchester United's next head coach and will immediately demand intensity and fitness from the squad, according to former Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld.
The Argentine has not yet been officially announced as the new head coach, but Michael Carrick's sacking has been confirmed and a deal for Pochettino is close. The ex-Chelsea manager is still expected to fulfil his remaining roles as manager of the United States, including a two-legged CONCACAF Nations League tie against Haiti. However, he is expected to be in the dugout when United travel to Liverpool on November 22.
Alderweireld backs Pochettino's methods
Alderweireld, who played under Pochettino at Spurs and Southampton, told talkSPORT: "He will make players fit, that's for sure. Second of all he brings intensity. It's not like everyone is playing their own game, he wants a team that's going to be on the front foot."
"He wants to play pressure and having the ball as well. A clear idea, intensity and players being fit, I think that's the way he likes to work."
This season, United have been criticised for their lack of intensity, particularly when the opposition have the ball. Carrick's side ranks towards the bottom of the Premier League in regards to distance covered, sprints and high intensity pressures.
United's current struggles
Alderweireld's comments suggest Pochettino will immediately look to overhaul these figures. Pochettino will inherit a United side who are winless since August and are 18th in the Premier League.
In the Champions League, United are 17th with four matches remaining and are only three points from the top eight, who immediately qualify for the round of 16. In the competition, United travel to Sporting on Wednesday 25, host RB Leipzig on December 8, take on Bayern Munich at Old Trafford on January 20 and then travel to Villarreal on January 27.
Perfect timing for takeover
Alderweireld believes now is as good a time as ever for the Argentine to take over. He told Sky Sports: "This is the perfect moment for him to be at Man Utd. Not many people expect too much, which gives him the opportunity to get to work."
"He'll probably change a lot of things around the training ground and shift the mentality. I think people will be shocked by just how well he does."
