Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as the favourite to replace Michael Carrick as Manchester United manager, with reports suggesting the club could pay around £7m to release him from his contract with the US Soccer Federation. The former Tottenham and Chelsea boss recently extended his deal as US national team manager but is believed to be interested in the Old Trafford position.
Relegation Battle Ahead
United will spend the international break in the relegation zone after failing to add to August's solitary Premier League win against Ipswich, following Sunday's chaotic 4-4 draw with Aston Villa. The club languishes in 18th place and is reviewing Carrick's position during the November hiatus, which is likely to lead to another change of manager.
Pochettino's first task would be to lift United clear of the relegation zone, a challenge complicated by a squad described as full of misfits. Beyond that, he faces a massive rebuild with potentially some eye-catching names heading to Old Trafford.
Defensive Overhaul and Chelsea Raid
The defence has been largely untouched despite being made up of players who are over-the-hill, injury-prone, or "downright terrible," according to the report. Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot need to be shown the door, while Lisandro Martinez should be sent on his way when his contract expires at the end of the season unless he undergoes a personality transplant under his fellow Argentine. Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs De Ligt are not the answer either.
Pochettino could look to his former club Chelsea for reinforcements. Levi Colwill's progress has stalled at Stamford Bridge, but he is good enough and young to get his club and international career back on track. Malo Gusto, who impressed under Pochettino during his sole season as Blues boss, has not got the game time he would have wanted this season.
One potential early target is left-back Alejandro Balde, who was linked with United in the summer before opting to stay at Barcelona and fight for his place. A potential swap deal involving Martinez, who is on Barcelona's radar, would address both clubs' needs.
Kane, Palmer and Lankshear Targets
The England talisman recently signed a new contract with Bayern Munich, but Pochettino is seen as the one non-Tottenham manager who could bring him back to England, given the pair worked together successfully for five years at Spurs. If Kane wins the Champions League this season, the report suggests firing United back to glory would cap a glorious career.
Signing Cole Palmer would be a major and expensive sign of intent. The groundwork exists: he flourished under Pochettino, calling him a "top manager and a top person," and grew up supporting United. Factoring in Chelsea's willingness to trade talent, this move cannot be ruled out.
United should also jump the queue for Will Lankshear, one of the most coveted players outside the Premier League. Spurs' decision to sell the 21-year-old to Middlesbrough looks highly questionable given he already has 13 goals this season and has been considered for an England call-up.
US Talent Options
Pochettino will naturally have extensive knowledge of talent in the US team, so it would be no surprise if he tried to bring some of that to Old Trafford. Christian Pulisic may fancy another crack at the Premier League, while striker Folarin Balogun almost joined Everton in the summer. There are already a number of US internationals in the Premier League, such as Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson and Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams.
