Mauricio Pochettino will ditch four Man Utd stars - the winners and losers under new boss

Pochettino will have some big calls to make in Manchester (Picture: AP)

Mauricio Pochettino is poised to take the reins at Manchester United in the club’s latest attempt to reset the clock.

Having been regarded as a genuine candidate for the job at Old Trafford on three occasions in the past, the Argentine now gets his chance in Manchester where United’s situation is more dire than ever.

With Michael Carrick’s exit confirmed, Pochettino will inherit a squad that has been routinely booed off the pitch by a fanbase thoroughly disenchanted with a lack of effort on it. While there may be hopes of recruitment in the January transfer window, Pochettino will have to work with what he has at his disposal until then.

Metro looks across the United squad to identify whose prospects look brighter than ever with the new manager en route – and those who face the axe.

Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo

With Benjamin Sesko starting just two matches this season before injury struck again, Bryan Mbeumo has spent most of the campaign operating up top. He could remain in that role until Sesko is fit again but both he and Matheus Cunha stand to benefit in their natural positions under the new regime.

Pochettino has favoured inverted wingers to help create overloads in the middle with Cunha in particular tailor made for that role.

Cunha could thrive under Pochettino (Picture: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)

Kobbie Mainoo

Moussa Dembele evolved into one of the Premier League’s most dominant midfielders at Tottenham under Pochettino, carrying on the work started by Martin Jol at Fulham with the Belgian. Kobbie Mainoo lacks Dembele’s outstanding athleticism but his press resistance and running power with the ball will be regarded as key assets for Pochettino.

Mainoo does not have the constant high-energy output Pochettino has traditionally demanded of his midfielders but he has improved his engine over the last two years and his ability to break the lines could also see him play a key role.

Mason Mount

Erik ten Hag, Ruben Amorim and Michael Carrick all lauded the qualities of Mason Mount despite injuries ensuring they never saw the best of him. Pochettino could be another to look favourably upon him if he can prove his fitness.

Pochettino wanted to keep Mount at Chelsea (Picture: Getty Images)

When in negotiations with Chelsea back in 2023, Pochettino was eager for the club to end a contract stand-off with the midfielder and was desperate to keep him and make him a key component of his rebuild west London. His own arrival came too late to revive negotiations however with Mount joining United that summer.

Mount’s work rate has never been in doubt and his abilities to run off the ball or intelligently drop into space could be vital. But with just one start in the Premier League this season, the same old doubts are in place.

Youri Tielemans

In October, former United captain Gary Neville called time on the Mainoo-Youri Tielemans partnership, neither dynamic or athletic enough to last the course in the Premier League. There may only be one winner with the Belgian perhaps most at risk.

Tielemans could have a lot to prove (Picture: Matt West/Shutterstock)

Tielemans is adept in keeping possession and progressing play but his lack of drive up the pitch is seemingly at odds with how Pochettino likes to set up his midfield. Pochettino was also said to have turned down the chance to sign the midfielder on at least one occasion after his name was put forward by the Tottenham board.

The same concerns for Tielemans could also apply for another summer recruit in Andrey Santos who looks to be another passive operator based on evidence to date.

Luke Shaw

The emphasis Pochettino puts on his full-backs has been huge during his time in the Premier League but it is the area of the pitch where United are perhaps at their weakest. Diogo Dalot’s shortcomings on the right continue to be exposed while a long-term replacement for Luke Shaw is well overdue.

Pochettino likes his full-backs robust (Picture: Shutterstock)

Dalot’s prospects are brighter – while his final ball is consistently short of the required standard, his ability to get up and down the pitch will be important. Shaw can no longer offer that kind of service on the left and Pochettino may favour the energy of Patrick Dorgu.

Pochettino helped nurture Shaw at Southampton before his £27million move to Manchester in 2014 but the 31-year-old will now struggle to provide the intensity the role demands.