After the sacking of Michael Carrick earlier in the week, Manchester United confirmed Mauricio Pochettino as the new manager of the Red Devils. The Argentinian coach has become the third managerial appointment under INEOS. 

Despite announcing Pochettino this week, he will not officially take training until he returns from international duty on the 18th of November, as he has been allowed to manage the final two games for the United States national team. 

While Carrick had a tough opening two games in his interim stint with Manchester City and Arsenal, Pochettino arguably faces the most difficult fixture for any United manager: playing Liverpool at Anfield. 

He will only have a couple of days to get to know the players, with Luke Shaw, Andrey Santos and the injured Manuel Ugarte being the only players he had met previously.

Andrey Santos has had a mixed start to his Manchester United career. The Brazilian was an ever-present in pre-season and started the first game against Hull City. But since then, his minutes and starts have been few and far between. 

While he was never managed by Pochettino in a competitive game for Chelsea, as he was out on loan at Nottingham Forest and then Strasbourg during the 23/24 season, he is still someone who has potentially met the Argentine before. 

However, when asked about the prospect of being reunited with the former Chelsea manager, the Brazilian was tight-lipped about it all.

He said (quoted by Football Presse): "On Pochettino, it's hard to say because I don't know what's happening. My focus is only here. I'm focused on doing my job, playing well and performing well."

When speaking about playing under the Argentinian, he spoke about his ability to adapt to different roles no matter where he is. 

"Wherever the manager needs me, I'll always do my best," he said.

There are players like Kobbie Mainoo and Leny Yoro who are not only among the very few Manchester United players in decent form, but also are a profile of players who look like they could excel in this new setup.

However, Santos is a player who could thrive under Pochettino. As the Manchester Evening News suggested in its report on six players who could be unlocked by the new manager, his form, specifically at Strasbourg and at times last season with Chelsea, shows where he can play.

This is mainly due to his all-action style of play and willingness to beat the press with his passing, which is something Pochettino loves in his players. However, the main issue is that he has yet to truly show the dynamic, attacking side of his game in a United shirt.

Ultimately, with the injury to Carlos Baleba, this might be his best chance to cement a starting position in the eleven, as the Cameroonian feels like the most natural partner for Mainoo in this system.