Pochettino to unleash Man Utd prodigy Carrick “loved” in place of Amad

Manchester United are set to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager after parting ways with Michael Carrick.

The Red Devils are expected to trigger the Argentine’s release clause this week, and he will be in the dugout for the trip to Liverpool after the international break.

Pochettino set for Man Utd job as Gary Neville demands signings

Pochettino has reached a verbal agreement to take charge at Old Trafford, with United now working to secure his release from the United States national team.

The former Tottenham and Chelsea manager is expected to succeed Carrick, whose dismissal was officially confirmed on Thursday with United sat in the relegation zone.

Pochettino faces a significant rebuilding job, and Gary Neville believes he must demand guarantees over recruitment before accepting the position.

“If I was Mauricio Pochettino now, I would be literally protecting myself up to the high heaven,” Neville said on The Overlap.

The former defender was scathing in his assessment of United’s current defensive options, particularly the back four that finished Sunday’s 4-4 draw with Aston Villa.

“That is probably the worst back four in the Premier League. I don’t know a back four that is worse than that in the Premier League right now if I watch it.

“I can’t believe Manchester United have ended up with that back four.”

Pochettino will also be expected to make greater use of United’s talented academy players, something that has historically been central to the club’s identity.

Shea Lacey tipped for larger role under Pochettino

Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

TalkSPORT journalist Alex Crook expects Pochettino to hand 19-year-old Shea Lacey a more prominent role in the first team.

The winger made a significant impact during United’s dramatic 3-2 Champions League victory over Roma last week, providing the assist for Matheus Cunha’s winning goal after coming off the bench.

Despite his impressive contribution, Lacey was overlooked for a starting place against Aston Villa, with Amad Diallo preferred on the flank.

The Ivory Coast international however is approaching an entire year without scoring for United, and that could open the door for Lacey to challenge the more established winger for minutes under Pochettino.

Carrick was certainly an admirer of Lacey, delivering a glowing assessment of the youngster following his performance against Roma.

Lacey is among several academy prospects to have made their senior debuts in recent seasons, continuing United’s long-standing tradition of promoting young talent.

Pochettino has history of developing young stars

Pochettino has built a reputation for developing young talent throughout his managerial career, helping the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Luke Shaw flourish during his spells at Tottenham and Southampton.

The Argentine has regularly handed opportunities to emerging players, including several teenagers who made their Premier League debuts under his management.

Alli was particularly complimentary of Pochettino’s influence on his career, having developed into one of the Premier League’s outstanding young midfielders during their time together.

“Mauricio Pochettino was the best manager and I couldn’t have asked for a better manager at the time,” he told talkSPORT.

“It wasn’t like a footballer and a manager relationship. It was deeper than that, I felt. He was just so understanding of the decisions I was making, and he was guiding – like, he cared about me as a person before the football, which is what I needed at that time.”

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