But Pochettino will run into an immediate problem: the squad is not capable of playing his high-pressing brand of football.
asserted
squad → run → football
Pochettino will likely require a complete overhaul, starting in the January window.
asserted
Pochettino → require → window
Man Utd have attempted to refresh different areas of the squad over the last two summers, spending hundreds of millions on the attack in 2025 before replacing the midfield during the summer just gone.
asserted
Utd → attempt → summer
Man Utd require new full-backs, frequently playing right-backs on the left and then requiring a centre-half to fill in on the right.
asserted
Utd → require → right
So who could, and should, Pochettino turn to in January?
uncertain
Pochettino → turn → January
Swashbuckling Antonee Robinson has become a trusted lieutenant for Pochettino in the US national team.
asserted
Robinson → swashbuckle → team
The Fulham left-back is in his prime at 29, and would bring proven Premier League quality and knowledge of Pochettino’s approach.
asserted
back → bring → approach
Another American could help Pochettino improve Manchester United’s defence.
uncertain
Pochettino → help → defence
Alex Freeman was handed an international debut by the Argentine in 2025, and has already racked up 26 caps.
asserted
Freeman → hand → caps
The defender has also been tracked by the Red Devils previously.
asserted
defender → track → Devils
Under Inigo Perez - who, like Pochettino, is a disciple of Marcelo Bielsa - Freeman has proven he can play high-intensity football in a host of positions.
asserted
he → prove → positions
A natural right-back, Freeman has played as both a full-back and wing-back on either flank, the wide center-back in a three-man defence, and has even been deployed further up the pitch as a winger.
asserted
Freeman → play → winger
However, with Newcastle also struggling this term, Man Utd could try to tempt the 22-year-old to Old Trafford.
uncertain
Utd → struggle → Trafford
Hall’s age is a better fit for the profile of player Man Utd are trying to build their squad around.
asserted
Utd → try → squad
One defensive recruit the club have had their eyes on for a while is Jarrad Branthwaite.
asserted
club → have → while
The Everton centre-back first popped up on the Red Devils’ radar in 2024, with the Toffees rejecting two bids for the England international.
asserted
Toffees → pop → international
Man Utd fans will be pleased to hear that Paz’s attacking output is similar to Fernandes, but with an increased defensive actions - ranking in the 34th percentile for attacking midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues this season.
asserted
output → hear → leagues
Real Madrid hold a buyback clause, which could cause a potential stumbling block for any move.
uncertain
which → hold → move
Despite investing in their strikeforce two summers ago, Man Utd have resorted to playing wingers and midfielders up top.
asserted
Utd → invest → top
Marquee striker signing Benjamin Sesko has endured an injury-hit spell at Old Trafford, while Joshua Zirkzee almost left at the end of the last transfer window.
asserted
Zirkzee → endure → window
Pochettino will require a reliable back-up to Sesko, either to change games or simply keep Slovenian on his toes.
asserted
Pochettino → require → toes
Man Utd will hope not to spend too much on a player of such profile, but two USMNT players could fit the bill.
uncertain
players → hope → bill
As the striker will lead the press for Pochettino, the former Tottenham boss will require a keen runner with the ability to score goals.
asserted
boss → lead → goals
Ricardo Pepi is a strong candidate: extremely fast and hard-working, the 23-year-old has grabbed 49 goals in 113 appearances for PSV, including six goals in the Champions League.
asserted
old → work → League
Bringing Pepi to Manchester shouldn’t break the bank, nor would signing Folarin Balogun.
asserted
Bringing → bring → Balogun
Monaco hoped to shift the American on during the last transfer window due to financial constraints, which means a cut-price deal could be arranged in January.
uncertain
deal → hop → January
The Aporia
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