Mauricio Pochettino is expected to replace the sacked Michael Carrick as Manchester United manager, and the squad should prepare for a demanding new approach. United sit in the relegation zone and need a dramatic turnaround, with Pochettino likely to prioritise hard work and high pressing from the outset.
A Shift to High Intensity
United currently rank 19th for distance covered in the Premier League this season, reflecting a passive setup under Carrick. Pochettino has a long track record of demanding effort from his players. In the 2013-14 season, his Southampton side covered more distance than any other Premier League team, while Tottenham ranked 20th that year. After he moved to Spurs the following season, nobody ran further than them over the next four years.
His Chelsea team also ranked in the top 10% for high turnovers among all Premier League sides since the 2023-24 season. The Blues averaged nine high turnovers a match, while United are at just over six this season and are one of only four teams in the league not to have scored a goal from a high turnover.
Player Frustration and Tactical Criticism
After a heavy defeat to Como, Bruno Fernandes criticised Carrick's back-foot approach. "It's a decision from the staff to not press man-to-man," Fernandes said. "But sometimes when you give too much of the ball to these teams, they get confidence. They have so many bodies behind the ball that make you run a lot, make people frustrated. I think sometimes we have to be more brave under pressure, take the risk of pressing high and making them uncomfortable."
The expected tactical shift under Pochettino also draws attention to comments made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe in 2024. "We'll decide that [playing] style, plus the CEO, sporting director, probably the recruitment guys," Ratcliffe said. "What the style of football is, and that will be the Manchester United style of football, and the coach will have to play that style. We're not going to oscillate from a [Jose] Mourinho style to a [Pep] Guardiola style. That's not the way we'll run the club. Otherwise, you're changing everything all the time. You change your coach, you've got the wrong squad. We won't do that."
Player Fit and Defensive Concerns
United have pivoted dramatically from Erik ten Hag to Ruben Amorim's back-three system, then to Carrick's lower-intensity possession approach, and now to Pochettino's all-action style. The summer signings of Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos do not appear to be good fits for the new approach. Pochettino will demand legs in midfield, which should benefit Carlos Baleba, who is expected to have a key role.
In defence, Pochettino will want a high defensive line to support the press, but that will test a team with the third-worst defensive record in the league. Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt are more comfortable defending their own box, so the mobility of Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven could earn them more minutes. Patrick Dorgu may also get an opportunity, as Pochettino wants full-backs to hold their width and get up and down the touchline, allowing wingers to cut inside. Dorgu has the engine for that role and could become crucial, particularly if it unlocks Matheus Cunha further up the pitch.
Pochettino does not have the luxury of a pre-season to reshape the squad. Whipping his players into shape during the campaign will not be easy, but it feels essential if he is to deliver the bounce in results and performances that United sorely need.
