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Mauricio Pochettino is the chosen successor at Manchester United following the club's split with Michael Carrick, finally landing the manager they've been circling around for the better part of a decade.
Carrick appeared to be stuck in limbo for weeks, and many have rightly criticized the club's handling of a quietly iconic figure, considering his immense contributions on the pitch during Sir Alex Ferguson's trophy-laden era.
United had opportunities to bring in the Argentine on four separate occasions. In 2026, some feel Poch may have passed his peak, with United's decision being characteristic of the club's often misguided thinking. Nevertheless, there's no reason Red Devils fans can't feel a degree of excitement about the Argentine, whose style of play has historically been a source of inspiration.
A cultural overhaul is essential if Man Utd are to break free from their familiar rut, though that's a lengthy process that starts at the top. Once Pochettino settles in at Carrington, his immediate attention must turn to Liverpool at Anfield. Since he's currently overseeing the USMNT's Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal against Haiti, he'll have precious little time to prepare for the trip to Merseyside.
Here are four adjustments Man Utd's new boss could make right away on his first outing.
Ditch Diogo Dalot
Diogo Dalot has featured 260 times for Manchester United.
Nobody can question the Portuguese defender's commitment. He's never been one to throw in the towel when things get difficult. There have been periods of solid play, and his versatility is a bonus, but it's quite astonishing how he's managed to earn the confidence of several Man Utd managers.
Dalot is a utility player, and a passable one at that. Few could say with any real conviction what his strongest attributes actually are.
Dalot was placed in an uncomfortable position late in Carrick's tenure, with Luke Shaw's absence pushing him into a wide left role that left him dangerously exposed on the break. He conceded a penalty in the most recent match against Aston Villa and was met with boos from the crowd when he was substituted midway through the second half.
He could still have a role under Pochettino, who might consider using him inverted from a wide area, but the time has come for Dalot to operate in a more defined position, particularly as the Red Devils regain fitness at fullback. Patrick Dorgu should be the first choice at left back if Luke Shaw remains unavailable.
Trust Shea Lacey
Pochettino's time with the USMNT will be remembered far more fondly if the Stars and Stripes, energized by the Argentine's late-career revival, build on the momentum of a strong World Cup showing.
Poch's legacy in American soccer includes empowering the nation's brightest young talents, among them teenage prodigy Cavan Sullivan and goalscorer Julian Hall.
The Argentine has long been celebrated for the confidence he instills in young players. It was Shaw at Southampton who first benefited from Pochettino's guidance, followed by a generation of Spurs youngsters who came together to forge the most thrilling chapter in the club's recent history.
Man Utd have a storied tradition of nurturing academy talent, most famously in recent memory with the Class of '92. Kobbie Mainoo is the latest graduate to make his mark, and there are now considerable expectations surrounding 19-year-old Shea Lacey.
Lacey has been restricted to brief appearances in recent weeks, yet the teenager played a key role in helping Man Utd turn things around in Carrick's second-to-last match in charge against Roma. Lacey isn't an imposing physical presence, but he's a technically polished playmaker with a clever ability to slip past opponents.
He's shown impressive form for England's U20s during the international break, and the energy he's injected from the bench lately means no Man Utd fan would blame Pochettino for throwing him straight into the deep end at Anfield. In the end, it's the Red Devils' young talents who will help the Argentine's high-energy approach truly come to life on the pitch.
Employ Runners
Pochettino's finest sides were relentless pressers who excelled in transition. Between 2015 and 2018, Tottenham ranked fourth in the Premier League with 801 high turnovers and second with 53 fast breaks. Spurs also placed second with a 9.0 PPDA (passes per defensive action, a measure of pressing intensity).
Unfortunately, this current Man Utd squad isn't ideally suited to Pochettino's preferred style. The Argentine will aim to reshape the Red Devils into something resembling his Spurs side at their peak, but will need to make concessions early in his tenure.
Man Utd lack runners, though that may not be entirely detrimental at Anfield. Naturally, the visitors must avoid being overrun and physically dominated, or they risk a heavy defeat. However, there's an argument for Pochettino to lean into a style that has generally brought out the best in the Red Devils since Ferguson's departure.
United should look to exploit their runners against Liverpool, targeting the hosts on the counter. Andoni Iraola thrives on chaos, and the Reds have shown vulnerability in defensive transition. They've conceded two 'fast break' goals this season, with only Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace having conceded more, per Opta. Sitting in a 4-4-2 mid block goes against Pochettino's core philosophy ("We need to be protagonists and always press high"), but it may be the pragmatic choice. It would free Bruno Fernandes to pick out a surging forward line against a Liverpool side that loves to push men forward.
Bryan Mbeumo is a dangerous weapon in transition, and there's a real possibility Marcus Rashford returns from injury as well. Pochettino has no shortage of pace and intelligence to call upon.
Formation Flexibility
Pochettino has typically favored a 4-2-3-1 setup. His exceptional Tottenham side lacked natural width in attack, with the trio behind Harry Kane operating in tight spaces to combine between the lines and support their counterpressing. Width was provided by fullbacks Kyle Walker and Danny Rose.
He doesn't have the right personnel to replicate that approach at Anfield, and while Poch has demonstrated adaptability at Chelsea and with the USMNT by embracing inverted fullbacks, there could be an opportunity for the new manager to take a completely different direction.
He has successfully used a back three before, both in North London and with the USMNT. That could be a viable option here, given United's center back depth and fullback concerns. Dorgu and Amad could fill wingback roles, while Fernandes could be given the freedom to roam in behind a pair of attacking runners, potentially Rashford and Cunha.
An additional center back could help address the glaring midfield deficiency, with one given the license to push forward and disrupt play. The engine room remains a significant headache for the new manager without Carlos Baleba, as United are otherwise short on energy and legs.
That's precisely why a deeper defensive shape at Anfield makes sense for the visitors, even if Mainoo and Youri Tielemans leave much to be desired in a defensive capacity. They would be completely overrun if they attempted to win the ball back high up the pitch.