Mauricio Pochettion didn’t lose his focus, even after being confirmed as Manchester United manager from next week, a job he has been linked with since the much-talked-about lunch with Alex Ferguson in 2016. Unsurprisingly, the English media have taken it upon themselves to speculate on what changes can be expected in the United squad when the Argentine enters Old Trafford.
According to talkSPORT’s chief correspondent Alex Crook, Pochettino is “in a very strong position” to ask for more activity in the January transfer market than Carrick would.
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Crook believes Pochettino could demand that United sign a left-back, centre-back and striker this winter, with Antonee Robinson, Nathan Collins, Calvin Bassey and Folarin Balogun all on their radar.
“There are big names who are nearing the end of their contracts at the end of this season. Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez – who could well be moved in January. I think the relentless decision now is probably to let all these players go. In terms of this winter transfer window, I don’t think it was Manchester United’s plan at the start of the season to invest heavily in January, but I think they have to do it now.”
“I know they’re looking for a left-sided centre-back. I think they need a left-back as well. Pochettino could initially decide his own salary, but he could also say: ‘Look, I need these players in January, I need support in the summer, and I want to have more say than Michael Carrick had in terms of recruitment. So I think he’s in a very strong position and I expect United to have a lot of activity in January.
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“The names mentioned in terms of centre-back are Calvin Bassey at Fulham, Nathan Collins at Brentford, and I would also keep an eye on Antonee Robinson for the left-back position.”
