Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino is emerging as the number one contender to be the next permanent Manchester United boss.
The Red Devils are on the lookout for a new manager following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Mirror Football exclusively revealed that the former Tottenham boss was United's number one option to replace Solskjaer.
Pochettino has long been linked with the Old Trafford job and is greatly admired in English football following his excellent work with both Southampton and Tottenham.
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The Argentine’s availability is problematic for United; currently in the middle of his first full season at the helm of PSG and it is unclear if a move now or the summer is realistic.
We take a look at what we know Pochettino would bring to Old Trafford and how he would shape the role.
Tactical shape
Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, United have been reasonably flexible in their tactical approach depending on the scope and size of the task.
The most common formation used under the Norwegian has been a 4-2-3-1, with a fluid three-man attacking system operating behind a central striker.
Whilst this was alternated to a 3-5-2 in recent weeks in an attempt for more defensive solidity, it was the 4-2-3-1 setup that best suited the squad of players.
It is also what Pochettino has deployed throughout his tenure, with a base of two holding midfielders allowing a front four to do their damage in the final third of the pitch.
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Press press press
Fundamental to Pochettino’s approach is his relentless pressing system, designed to unsettle opponents and disrupt their shape.
In the five Premier League seasons between 2013-14 and 2017-18, four of the top eight sides for ‘highest average distance run’ in the league were coached by Pochettino.
Three of those sides were his Spurs teams, but the top team of all was his Southampton outfit of 2013-14.
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Pochettino has said of his insistence on pressing: “Where did I get the idea we had to (press)? It's about your personality, who you are.
“You show on the pitch who you are.
“If you are brave in your life, you cannot behave in a different way on the pitch.
“I don't understand how to play in a different way.
“Always, be brave. I like to be brave.”
Trust in youth
Pochettino has shown time and time again he will blood young players into his team.
In his first Spurs team, Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Eric Dier, Ben Davies and Nabil Bentaleb were all aged 22 or under, while Erik Lamela and Christian Eriksen were 23, Ryan Mason 24 and full-backs Kyle Walker and Danny Rose both 25.
Previous to that, the young group of James Ward-Prowse, Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Calum Chambers, Jack Cork and Nathaniel Clyne were all prominent in his Southampton side.
“I’m not afraid to play them,” says Pochettino. “If a player deserves to play, if they are 17, 18, 19 or 20 it’s the same for us, if they deserve to play and show character and maturity to be given the responsibility. But for that, you need to build the player.”
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Ferguson approval
Pochettino is said to be Sir Alex Ferguson’s choice to be the next Manchester United boss with the two sharing great mutual admiration.
Ferguson is thought to be a great admirer of the Argentine’s coaching skillset, while Gary Neville believes he would be the ideal fit at Old Trafford.
Neville said on Sky Sports: "I think Mauricio Pochettino – although he’d never say it – he’d leave to come to Man United on a five-year deal tomorrow.
"He’d look at that group of players, he’d look at the club and he’d realise he’d probably be able to achieve more than he wants at Man United in terms of a project.
"At PSG you are on season by season. ‘You’ve got to win the Champions League or you’re out’ type of model. I don’t think that suits Pochettino.
"I think he would absolutely come to Man Utd on a five-year deal, with backing behind him. How he’d fit in with the current coaches who are still there and left, I’m not sure.
" Manchester United have to make sure they get the next one right. Even if that means being patient for six months to wait for managers to become available at the end of the season."
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Rashford's role
At Spurs, Pochettino found an attacking system that allowed both Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son to thrive and blossom into genuine stars.
In the case of Son, his role on the left side of attack and direct style of play are comparable to that of Marcus Rashford.
The England international combines pace, directness and speed of thought to cause havoc in opposition defences, while cutting in from the left onto his favoured left foot – just like the South Korean.
It is not far-fetched to assume he could hold a similar role at United as Son did at Spurs.
