Hiring Pochettino will immediately begin the process of turning United into a well-drilled side, capable of applying intense pressure, likely in a co-ordinated manner.
Pochettino enjoyed relative success with Spurs, built on this intensity and co-ordination, that differentiated him from the rest of the league.
With that unique selling point more common now than a decade ago, how he builds on it will dictate how his tenure unfolds.
But watching Brighton this season, he can be assured that an approach founded on intensity off the ball can work in the Premier League in 2026, with Fabian Hurzeler’s men second in the league, with the fourth highest average possession, 10 games in.
Pochettino, from a footballing point of view, feels extremely aligned to the values of Ferguson’s United, and as a result will implement numerous similarities to the things Carrick wanted, but ultimately failed, to deliver.
His wealth of experience make him a more proven entity than the departing United manager and if he can get his team fit and pressing high, in typically Pochettino fashion, they should see an upturn in form.
Expanding on his managerial approach, while managing Spurs he explained how “the most important thing [was] to create a good shape for players to be comfortable and to show their real qualities”.
Rather than relying on pre-defined pattern, he looks to empower individuals to solve attacking problems. Taking this approach means recruitment of top talent matters more than ever.
“He [gave] me the confidence and licence to go where I wanted on the pitch, where I [could] use my strengths,” said Cole Palmer, who enjoyed his most productive Premier League season under Pochettino at Chelsea.
United have good attackers but they will need to take the same initiative Palmer did, if platformed to their strengths – something Pochettino does well.
If they don’t, and if Pochettino is to stumble, it will likely be in United’s inability to break down stubborn defences when asked to dominate the ball – in what would feel like Groundhog Day, again.
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