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Should Mauricio Pochettino take the reins at Manchester United, as widely anticipated, he may look to bring along several players he worked closely with during his two-year tenure in the United States.
Following a brief spell in Chelsea's dugout, Pochettino stepped away from club management to pursue international football. U.S. Soccer appointed him as Gregg Berhalter's replacement in September 2024, and the Argentine gradually instilled a winning mentality within the U.S. men's national team.
Pochettino guided the Stars and Stripes to a round of 16 appearance at the 2026 World Cup and subsequently penned a four-year contract extension to steer the team through the 2030 tournament. However, Manchester United, who parted ways with Michael Carrick on Thursday, came calling for his services.
The Red Devils are in the final stages of agreeing a deal with Pochettino, with reports suggesting the former Spurs manager will be in the dugout when United face Liverpool when domestic football resumes—though not before overseeing two final USMNT fixtures against Haiti.
Pochettino will get his first real glimpse of his new squad in action at Anfield, and may well leave Merseyside with a transfer wish list ahead of the January window. High on his agenda could be several USMNT standouts who would address a number of pressing issues for the 20-time English champions.
Antonee Robinson
If there is one position that has been a persistent headache for United, it is left back. The Red Devils inexplicably failed to address the gap in their squad during the summer window, leaving the injury-plagued Luke Shaw as their only senior, natural option on that flank.
To the surprise of perhaps only sporting director Jason Wilcox, Shaw has reverted to his old habits in 2026–27 after somehow completing the entirety of last season. The England international has featured just five times this campaign, forcing Carrick to use Diogo Dalot and others on the left side.
The Portugal international has struggled enormously, finding himself at fault on an alarming number of occasions. Whether it is leaving dangerous space, mistimed challenges or simply looking lost, Dalot has been a liability for United throughout this season.
Pochettino will urgently require an improvement on the left side. While United had hoped to hold out for primary target Lewis Hall, that option is no longer viable. The silver lining is that their incoming manager already shares a strong bond with Fulham's Antonee Robinson.
The American fullback may not be the youthful, long-term solution United envisioned, but he brings considerable Premier League experience, solid defensive qualities and Pochettino's personal endorsement. Robinson will also likely be tempted by the opportunity to call Old Trafford home after spending the past seven years at Fulham.
Folarin Balogun
United are also in the market for a striker this January. Benjamin Šeško's entire first half of the season has been derailed by a persistent shin problem, leaving the Red Devils relying on Bryan Mbeumo as a makeshift No. 9 alongside the inconsistent Joshua Zirkzee.
Transfer speculation has already linked the club to various targets ahead of the winter window, but Balogun could emerge as a contender thanks to his connection with Pochettino. The American was in fine form at the 2026 World Cup, netting three goals in four games for the USMNT before a red card controversy overshadowed his tournament.
Balogun also has experience—albeit limited—in the Premier League from his time at Arsenal. He was in fact set to return to the English top flight this summer, but a proposed move to Everton fell through at the eleventh hour on Deadline Day.
Despite making the best of his situation recently, Balogun never intended to remain at Monaco this season. The former Arsenal forward had his sights set on the Premier League as a platform to elevate his game, and United could prove to be the ideal destination.
Tyler Adams
The one area United did address this summer was midfield, yet the overhaul has left much to be desired. Carlos Baleba has spent more time on the treatment table than the pitch, Youri Tielemans appears off the pace in nearly every outing, while former Liverpool captain Jamie Redknapp recently described the signing of Andrey Santos as a "sackable offense."
Several other midfielders were on United's shortlist this summer, among them Elliot Anderson and Tyler Adams. The former ended up joining rivals Manchester City, but the latter could potentially be lured away from Bournemouth, particularly with Pochettino entering the picture.
Adams is among the Argentine's most trusted figures in the USMNT setup, so much so that he was handed the captain's armband following Tim Ream's international retirement. "We've built a very good relationship in the last two years," Pochettino said of Adams in October. "He knows what I expect and he's a perfect role model for everyone in the way he can translate the philosophy and the culture and represent the amazing country."
Swap "country" for "United" and it reads precisely like a manager championing a new recruit. Adams understands Pochettino's demands and is well-versed in his tactical approach. On top of that, he has honed his craft disrupting top Premier League sides through years of punching above Bournemouth's weight.
The Red Devils are crying out for a genuine Casemiro replacement—someone capable of breaking up play, winning possession back, tracking runners and closing down the spaces that opposing teams have so ruthlessly exploited this season. Factor in Adams's leadership qualities and he appears to be an obvious choice.
Chris Richards
If any American player is seeking a way out, it is Chris Richards. Not only is the centre back entering the final year of his contract at Crystal Palace, but he also finds himself caught up in a deteriorating project at Selhurst Park.
Just hours after Carrick's dismissal, Palace also sacked Pierre Sage after just 16 matches at the helm. The Eagles sit rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table, having suffered a dismal seven defeats in 10 outings.
A player of Richards's calibre will attract no shortage of interest once the transfer window swings open, and United could be among the first to make their move. The Red Devils have shipped a staggering 30 goals in 15 games across all competitions this season, recording just a single clean sheet.
With Matthijs de Ligt unlikely to recapture his peak form, Lisandro Martínez prone to both injury and error, and Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven still finding their feet, Harry Maguire is in desperate need of a reliable partner. Pochettino would embrace Richards with open arms into a backline crying out for reinforcement.