‘He knows everything’: Manchester United told what to expect from Mauricio Pochettino appointment

Detailed summary

Red Devils have appointed former Tottenham boss until 2029

Toby Alderweireld has told Manchester United fans what they can expect to see from Mauricio Pochettino when he arrives as the club’s new manager.

The Belgian worked under Pochettino at Tottenham, forging one of the Premier League’s standout centre-back pairings with Jan Vertonghen under the Argentine’s stewardship.

Now, Pochettino, 54, will take the reins at Old Trafford, succeeding Michael Carrick, who was sacked on Wednesday after a run of 11 matches bearing just one win.

United paid a £7million release clause to prise Pochettino away from the United States’ men’s team, a role that he has held since 2024.

He will return to the Premier League after almost three years away, having managed Chelsea for the 2023-24 campaign.

Before that, he had overseen Tottenham’s rise, leading the club to the Champions League final in 2019 and the League Cup in 2015 - both matches they lost.

He is expected to shake things up at Old Trafford amidst a toxic dressing room, and Alderweireld belives that he will be central to United’s new project.

“You need to follow his plan,” the ex-defender explained to BBC Sport.

"He's straightforward, has his own ideas and maybe you agree with them or don't, that's up to you. That's something United need - a big character, everyone in the same direction, following the plan and if not, no problem, you can go. He's the main man.”

Opening of the article, excerpted from Evening Standard. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.