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

Pochettino, 54, has been appointed Manchester United manager on a deal until 2029, replacing Michael Carrick after paying a £7m release clause to leave the US national team.

Manchester United have appointed Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager on a contract running until 2029. The Argentine, 54, replaces Michael Carrick, who was sacked on Wednesday following 11 matches that yielded just one win. United paid a £7 million release clause to extract Pochettino from his role with the United States men's team, which he has held since 2024.

Pochettino returns to the Premier League after nearly three years away. He managed Chelsea during the 2023-24 season and previously spent five years at Tottenham, where he led the club to the Champions League final in 2019 and the League Cup final in 2015, though both ended in defeat. He is tasked with addressing a toxic dressing room environment at Old Trafford.

Toby Alderweireld, who played under Pochettino at Tottenham, praised the appointment, describing him as a demanding figure obsessed with video analysis and data. "He knows everything," Alderweireld told BBC Sport. "If you don't follow his plan, you're not coming back any more."

Alderweireld highlighted Pochettino's emphasis on fitness and high-intensity pressing, noting that United's poor running statistics this season—bottom of the Premier League for distance covered—will be a priority for change.