Many thought sacking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would mean that Manchester United’s form would improve and they would tighten their grip on the top four.
That has not been the case, however.
Will Mauricio Pochettino be the next Manchester United boss?Getty
Former RB Leipzig boss Ralf Rangnick joined the club until the end of the season but they have failed to impress under the German, beating just Crystal Palace, Norwich, and Burnley since he took charge.
Assuming that Rangnick doesn’t get the job permanently, current Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino is someone that has been linked with the role at Old Trafford.
But what would the former Spurs boss’ Red Devils side look like?
Goalkeeper
David de Gea has undeniably been one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League this season, keeping United in games where they have been dominated by their opposition.
De Gea has been United’s best player this seasonGetty
With Dean Henderson as a more than capable back-up, Pochettino shouldn’t have too many issues in the goalkeeping department.
Defence
Full-backs is also a position that Man United have good depth in, with Alex Telles and Luke Shaw – someone he worked with at Southampton – at left-back, and Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back.
Pochettino had Kyle Walker and Danny Rose as his full-backs at Tottenham, both of whom are very attacking, so perhaps Wan-Bissaka may lose his spot on the right.
Pochettino has worked with Shaw beforeGETTY 
Aarons could be perfect for the Red DevilsGetty
Pochettino has a good record of developing young players, and Max Aarons could be the next on that list. The right-back has plenty of Premier League experience during his time at Norwich and, with another Canaries relegation looking likely, United could get him back in a cut-price deal.
At centre-back, Harry Maguire has had a far from convincing season, even alongside new superstar signing Raphael Varane.
Pochettino may look to bring Presnel Kimpembe with him from PSG, which would seem him link up with his international teammate Varane at centre-back.
Kimpembe could follow Poch to Manchester
Midfield
With Paul Pogba’s contract expiring, Nemanja Matic ageing, and neither Fred or Scott McTominay failing to make that midfield position their own under Solskjaer or Rangnick, Pochettino will need to improve the base of his midfield.
Donny van de Beek may finally get the opportunity to get some regular game time under a new manager, but it seems pretty likely that a new midfielder will be brought in.
Could Van de Beek finally get an opportunity under Pochettino?AFP
West Ham’s Declan Rice is the obvious candidate, but Ally McCoist thinks that it would be a bad move for the England international to go to Old Trafford.
“I’d love to see him stay at West Ham. If there is continued improvement at West Ham, and by that investment will have to be made, which I think West Ham supporters and David Moyes deserve,” he told talkSPORT.
“If that happens, I wouldn’t be surprised if he hangs around, maybe for another year or couple of years.
“They’re a massive club, fighting for top four, things are going well.
Rice would be a fantastic signing for UnitedGetty
“Is he going to go to Manchester City? Is he going to go to Chelsea? He’s not going to go to Manchester United, is he?
“If you want to win titles and win Champions Leagues, you are going to have a better chance of doing it in the next four or five years at other clubs rather than Manchester United!”
Bruno Fernandes hasn’t been at his best this season but, just like he did with Dele Alli at Spurs, Poch knows how to get the best out of a No.10.
Attack
Heung-Min Son, Harry Kane, and Christian Eriksen at Tottenham. Neymar, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappe at PSG. Pochettino has worked with some decent front threes.
Ronaldo hasn’t quite lived up to expectations this seasonGetty 
Mbappe is a free agent at the end of the seasonGetty
Jadon Sancho, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Mason Greenwood is the trio he would have at Old Trafford but, if he wanted another option in that position, maybe he could convince Mbappe to join him if he moves to Manchester.
With the Frenchman’s contract expiring at the end of the season, he could be the key in their revival under Pochettino.
How Manchester United could look under Mauricio Pochettino…
Where would this XI finish in the Premier League?
Get The EDGE
talkSPORT EDGE is the free football app that keeps you one step ahead of your mates with short, sharp and shareable content.
Stay up to date with everything going on in the football world with breaking news, live scores and in-app betting.
How can I get it?
It’s available on iPhone and Android devices.
For iPhone, download talkSPORT EDGE via the App Store here.
For Android, download talkSPORT EDGE via the Play Store here.
