Manchester United have announced Mauricio Pochettino as the new manager after the sacking of Michael Carrick. The Argentinian has become the fourth manager in three years at the club. 

The Red Devils currently sit in the relegation zone in the Premier League and are already out of the Carabao Cup. Not only that, but Pochettino's first game is against Liverpool at Anfield. This job could not get any more difficult for the Argentine. 

The new Red Devils manager's job becomes even harder for his first game, as he is seeing out his final two games as the United States manager, meaning he joins around 18 November. This means he has only three days with the players before they go to Anfield on the 22nd.

While there are some players who may suit the new system, there is a significant pool of players who do not fit the system. It will be interesting to see who makes the cut in the starting 11.

First of all, these are 11 factors in the long-term injuries Manchester United currently face. Carlos Baleba is certainly a player who Pochettino would relish working with and could be one of the most vital parts of his system. The same also applies to Benjamin Sesko. 

Possible XI

Senne Lammens

The goalkeeper position might be the most nailed-on position in this entire Manchester United side, along with the number nine. 

Patrick Dorgu

Mauricio Pochettino's systems have always relied on the full-backs playing high and holding the width. This means the players not only have to have the ability to get up and down the pitch with ease, but they also need to have attacking traits that the manager can get the best out of. 

Dorgu fits that mould to a T. Especially his cameo against Aston Villa, where he came away with a goal and an assist, as well as his last-ditch tackles, showcases that. While Luke Shaw is a player with a history with the new manager, he is not the player he was at his very best in 2021. 

Leny Yoro

The Frenchman has quietly been United's best-performing player all season, even if he has made mistakes at times, as has everyone on this side. While he has played at right-back all season, the move back to centre-back feels like a natural progression for the Frenchman.

Pochettino operates with a high line, and for that you need pace and power alongside the defensive and technical traits needed to be a modern-day defender. Yoro fits that bill. Given the manager's track record of developing players, and especially with how good the likes of Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld were for him, it is exciting to see the player Yoro becomes.

Matthijs de Ligt

The second centre-back position was difficult to pick for Manchester United. Harry Maguire is the most experienced option, Lisandro Martinez is the best on-the-ball option, and Ayden Heaven has huge potential and would excel long-term under Pochettino.

But there is no denying that when fully fit and firing, De Ligt is the best centre-back at the club alongside Yoro, and his experience could be what is needed alongside the Frenchman. Ultimately, the worry is the amount of time the Dutchman spent away with injuries, something that has hampered him too much.

Diogo Dalot

For some, this may be controversial given how well Yoro has played at right-back and how poor Dalot has been on either flank at full-back this season. But the Portuguese international is the current starter at right-back, and his profile when he is at his best is something Pochettino might admire. 

As previously mentioned, the full-back needs to be aggressive and hold the width, and Dalot has been a player who has operated in that role under the last two managers, and under Carrick's interim spell, did well in that role.

Kobbie Mainoo

The easiest decision to make in the team. Mainoo is the heart of Manchester United and oozes class. He has grown as a player in 2026 by not only being the best carrier of the ball at the club, but also becoming a duel-winner, and his role will be vital for Pochettino to succeed at the club.

Youri Tielemans

The Belgian on paper is not a classic Pochettino player. He lacks the mobility, aggressiveness, and overall physicality to play under the new manager. But his ability on the ball might be what gets him into the eleven over Andrey Santos until Baleba comes back.

Tielemans played in an aggressive system under Unai Emery at Aston Villa, so he can thrive. But the system was built to protect him, with Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana covering for him. If he is to succeed, he needs to have that protection around him.

Bruno Fernandes

Manchester United's captain has deserted him. It could be argued that Matheus Cunha could be better suited as the number 10 or second striker, similar to the way Dele Alli operated under Pochettino at Spurs. 

But ultimately, when at their best, Fernandes is United's talisman and the most creative player at the club. If Pochettino gets him going, then you would expect United to thrive.

Marcus Rashford

The right-wing position might be the most difficult to nail down. Shea Lacey has shown in his glimpses this season that he can perform for United, and his profile of player makes him a player that it would not be a surprise to see that by the end of the end of the season he is a starter. Amad's profile makes him a Pochettino-style player, but his confidence has deserted him this season. 

Therefore, the rogue and maybe unpopular position could be Rashford on the right. It is no surprise that the Englishman is a player that Pochettino loves and has wanted to sign for years, especially when he was at PSG. Given his strong man-management, he could in the short term. However, if he is not fit for the Liverpool game, then Lacey might be the best option.

Bryan Mbeumo

The striker position is another nailed-on area for United. With Sesko being out, Mbeumo has operated up front all season. While Joshua Zirkzee has two goals off the bench, his style of play is not the best match for a Pochettino system.

Matheus Cunha

His versatility makes him an interesting player, as he can play almost anywhere in the forward areas. But playing on the left with the license to cut inside to operate in the half-spaces, with Dorgu holding the width, might be where he operates best.

The Brazilian's profile with his tenacity, aggressiveness and willingness to carry the ball makes him one of the most 'Pochettino-style' players in the league.

Best possible XI: Lammens, Dorgu, Yoro, de Ligt, Dalot, Mainoo, Tielemans, Fernandes, Rashford, Mbeumo and Cunha.