Manchester United

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We asked you to suggest the top three things on Mauricio Pochettino's to-do list when he takes charge of Manchester United on 18 November.

Here are some of your comments:

Christine: 1) He needs to be his own man and not let Jason Wilcox call the shots. 2) He needs to get rid of the players that are holding the club back, he will know who they are, as we all do. 3) He has a high intensity philosophy so he needs to include the academy players that are prepared to run for the club.

Keith: 1) Get the players fitter. 2) Stop picking favourites. 3) Give Shea Lacey and Harry Amass a chance.

Carl: 1) Keep us in the Premier League. 2) Filter out the dross - and by that I mean any player that is not good enough or not 100% committed to the club. 3) Have a plan and communicate that to the fans. My fear for him is that he will not be given time and we will be in the same position in 12 months time.

Huw: 1) Sort the defence out and don't play Diogo Dalot in any position. 2) Get a centre-forward and two full-backs in the January transfer window. 3) Make sure Jason Wilcox buys the players you want, not the players he thinks are good fits because his record so far is shocking.

Arwel: 1) Update his CV. 2) Keep his CV close to hand. 3) Pray.

Martin: 1) Rent a property instead of buying a property as he won't be there long enough. 2) Plan his next job, but I reckon he has about 10-12 months to do that. 3) Plan what he'll do with his severance pay.

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Mauricio Pochettino has sat down in front of the media for the first time since being confirmed as the next Manchester United boss - but it was not for his new club.

The Argentine remains manager of the United States for two fixtures against Haiti in the next week and is doing his media duties as usual for the upcoming matches.

"Normally it's the opposite, you're sacked and you cry because you want to stay," a teary Pochettino said in Friday's news conference. "For this case it's the opposite. We are excited for the step forward but it's a moment for commitment because we care and we always will.

"We need to focus on the next two games because they're important. The players are amazing. The situation is not ideal. But in life, football moves quickly. We need to move forward to keep that relationship and the memories we shared."

On the decision to join United just months after signing a new deal with US Soccer, he added: "It's obvious. I never said I wanted to go back but they know there aren't too many opportunities that happen in your career like Manchester United. When it arrives, it's difficult to turn down.

"When we decided together to extend our commitment, it was a commitment for the federation, just in case. We were very committed. It was to help the federation, just in case that didn't work for four years."

On the timeline of bring approached by United: "All was so quick. Sunday afternoon, there started to be some contact. We were very transparent [with US Soccer].

"We'll have time next week to talk about the job at Manchester United. It's much better to talk now about US Soccer."

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Manchester United have made it pretty clear Mauricio Pochettino is the only coach they spoke to directly about taking over at Old Trafford after Michael Carrick.

Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte were also mentioned as possibilities in the aftermath of that awful 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth three weeks ago, but evidently Pochettino has emerged as the first choice.

Interestingly, United have also felt it necessary to state privately that any claim of a split between the Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe is 'categorically false', in their words.

I reported earlier this week a mechanism by which the Glazer family could take control of the football operation back off Ratcliffe.

There has been no Stock Exchange statement that has happened, as there was when Ratcliffe was handed control by the board when he agreed to buy into United in December 2023.

There has been huge criticism by fans concerning the way United is being run.

Sporting director Jason Wilcox is being blamed by many for bad recruitment, but the budget was set higher up.

United officials are keen to stress unanimity in the hierarchy but, with the club 18th in the Premier League table and having sacked three managers in three seasons, none of the owners can be happy.

It is one to keep an eye on.

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"What an opportunity it is for him," said former Premier League manager Harry Redknapp on Mauricio Pochettino's appointment at Old Trafford, insisting that "the only way is up for Manchester United".

The Argentine manager is set to return to the Premier League after the USA national team's upcoming fixtures against Haiti.

"I like Mauricio Pochettino very much," Redknapp told BBC World Service. "He is a great guy and a very good manager, so what an opportunity it is for him.

"It is a great time to take the job. Lots of people are saying the club is in such a mess and asking who would want the job, but now is the time to take it in my opinion.

"The club is in such a bad position right now that the only way is up for whoever comes in. It can't get much worse than being in the Premier League bottom three - and Manchester United are certainly not going to get relegated.

"Pochettino has a great opportunity now. I'm sure he has already laid out his stance on recruitment, which is the problem right now at Manchester United. The club has a very average squad of players and that is why they are in this position.

When asked what his priorities would be, Redknapp replied: "I would look to rebuild the confidence. I walked into Tottenham in a similar situation, with the club having only taken two points from their first eight games, but I knew the players were better than that so it was all about rebuilding confidence.

"But I did have a much better squad of players at Tottenham than what Pochettino is going to inherit at Manchester United, that's for sure.

"I don't think he has got particularly good players to work with so it is going to be more difficult for him.

"I assume he will want a big say on recruitment going forward. He won't want to leave it to the people who have brought in average players for the past few years. He needs to have a big say because Manchester United need rebuilding badly."

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Michael Carrick says it was an "immense privilege" to manage Manchester United after being relieved from his duties at the club.

The former United midfielder has been succeeded at the club by Mauricio Pochettino, who takes over on 18 November.

"There are very few who get to live that and feel it, and for that I'm incredibly grateful," Carrick said.

"With that comes huge responsibility, and to be at Manchester United, you need to understand exactly what that means.

"It's different to anywhere else.

"Ultimately, you need to push to be the best, but there is a culture, there are values and there are behaviours that you have to live by and respect, which have been built over a long period of time.

"It's a football club that is unique, with substance and history that cannot be ignored.

"This is what inspired me every single day.

"I want to say a big thank you to the supporters. I must say, you are a special, rare breed.

"We've had some great times this year and moments we'll all remember. The best thing about being in my position was seeing so many of you lose yourselves in the emotion of those moments, leaving the stadium desperate to come back again next time.

"I just wanted to give you something back.

"That love never dies."

Mauricio Pochettino has been confirmed as Manchester United's new head coach following Michael Carrick's departure.

The Argentine has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract at Old Trafford, until June 2029, sources have told BBC Sport.

Pochettino and his staff will take charge on 18 November, after the conclusion of their responsibilities with the USA national team.

"He is renowned for his high-intensity, attacking style of football, his dedication to building strong, cohesive teams and his outstanding record of developing individual players," a club statement, external read.

Are you happy Manchester United fans? What are the top three things on Pochettino's to-do list when he arrives at Old Trafford?

Tell us here

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Supporter Jay Motty from the Stretford Paddock says he understands the reservations about Mauricio Pochettino managing Manchester United, but hopes he can use his vast experience to his advantage at Old Trafford.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast, he said: "I do worry, but one thing I quite like is that he's got a lot of experience. That was one of the sticks used to beat Michael Carrick; he had only been manager at Middlesbrough where he ultimately got sacked.

"Pochettino has managed in the Premier League for quite a long time. At Chelsea, it was a bin fire when he got there and he had to deal with all of it. He's managed at international level at a World Cup for the host nation. There is a lot of experience there for a manager who isn't that old and that is something I get a bit of confidence from.

"He has also managed some of the biggest players in the world when you look at Paris Saint-Germain. He is used to managing egos which is a bit of an issue at Manchester United.

"He is used to a lot of scrutiny, used to the Premier League and I'm just hoping he can use those talents in the right way at Manchester United. This is going to be his most difficult job."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

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European football experts Raphael Honigstein and Julien Laurens have been discussing Manchester United's appointment of Mauricio Pochettino.

The Argentine manager has worked in Spain and France previously and will take charge at Old Trafford on 18 November.

Honigstein said: "What Pochettino brings is obviously the Premier League experience and a sense of seniority. And also, off the back of a very successful World Cup with the USA, a kind of safety that you think 'this is a guy for a project'. United will once again be a project.

"The biggest question I have is can he play Pochettino football with this team? I don't think he can. Does that mean he has to start again and turf out a whole lot of players. Does he have the time and money to do that?

"In terms of the person and profile, it seems like a decent fit but in terms of the football ideas, I don't think this team can play anywhere near the football he wants them to."

Laurens added: "He is a builder, he likes that. He builds a squad, the mentality. Especially if you have young players, he likes that. If you appoint him now, you have to give him that time. He will rebuild, connect you with your fanbase, connect the dressing room together."

Read about how Pochettino came across Man Utd's radar

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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In theory, the current contract stand-off between Manchester United and Bruno Fernandes is not a big deal.

It is usual for the first, second and sometimes quite a few more offers to be rejected as part of the rough and tumble of negotiations.

United do have the option to trigger an option to add an extra year. However, there is reason why both sides might be wary to commit beyond that at this stage.

On Fernandes' part, there is a clear desire to compete for the biggest prizes. He can see the best years of his career drifting away. Yet again United have failed to build on a season of promise and he will now be wanting to see what impact Mauricio Pochettino has when he eventually arrives from the United States.

Fernandes was coveted by the Saudi Pro League 18 months ago, although the feeling has been he would prefer to stay in Europe.

On United's side, they will have noted Fernandes' alarming drop-off from the levels he hit last season, when he broke the Premier League assists record and won all the major player of the year honours.

Liverpool committed a huge amount of money to Mohamed Salah's last contract and that turned out to be a heavy financial burden. United will not want to get saddled with a major contract over an extended period for an underperforming player.

Read Simon's analysis in full here

Journalists Simon Stone and Jamie Jackson join Manchester United fan Jay Motty, to discuss the sacking of Michael Carrick on BBC Radio Manchester.

The team explore the ins and outs of the decision and rehash the drama that has unfolded in recent weeks with Lisandro Martinez and capatain Bruno Fernandes criticising the club publicly.

They also analyse United's performances so far this season and whether the players need to take some "responsibility" along with the club's owners and Carrick.

Listen to the full analysis above or on BBC Sounds here

Manchester United and Manchester City are set to battle it out for 23-year-old Chelsea and France defender Malo Gusto. (Talksport), external

United States international Folarin Balogun, the 25-year-old Monaco striker who nearly moved to Everton on deadline day last summer, is being lined up as Mauricio Pochettino's first signing at Manchester United. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Umir Irfan
Football tactics correspondent

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The biggest issue at Manchester United has been the sway between styles.

Mauricio Pochettino is someone who can continue the work that Michael Carrick started and build on it.

Pochettino is like the United managers that really revere Sir Alex Ferguson and they are mainly former players of his. He is the first one, bar Jose Mourinho, who likes and wants to embody that Ferguson style of play while also having that experience and quality outside of a United background.

He almost bridges the gap between the two approaches United have tried to do but failed to land on.

At a base level, Pochettino has the skill set, knowledge and focus on building physicality.

We saw that with Ruben Amorim because, despite all of the flaws the team had, they were incredibly fit and had a good level of endurance.

They weren't playing in Europe, but that level of fitness was carried into Carrick's tenure and it allowed them to play end-to-end football in his first 16 games.

There is the capacity to get to that again, even though Pochettino is not going to get a pre-season. Raising the physicality 15% or 20% gives the players a platform to compete.

Historically, United have been a team that have signed from within the league and filled the gaps with homegrown talent.

The crowd love to support their youth players and the focus on youth and their pro-activity allows them to have a really nice balance of not counter-attacking while sitting in your own half.

They will have their quick, direct attacks which is their traditional United style.

Appointing Pochettino could work really well.

BBC Sport's Manchester United reporter Simon Stone, Jay Motty from Stretford Paddock and Tom Allnutt from The Times join Rick Edwards and Lloyd Griffith for reaction to Michael Carrick's sacking.

Was he treated unfairly? When will Mauricio Pochettino arrive?

The panel delves into how things have unfolded over the past 24 hours and why the news that felt so inevitable took so long to arrive, and how United supporters are feeling for Carrick after everything played out so publicly.

Plus, a look at why Pochettino is a throwback manager – and how his way of doing things could suggest that major changes to the Old Trafford hierarchy are on the horizon.

Listen to the full episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast below or on BBC Sounds here. You can also watch above or on BBC iPlayer here, or on the BBC Football YouTube channel, external.