November 12
Manchester United legend Gary Neville has urged Mauricio Pochettino to decline the managerial role at the club, unless one specific condition is met.
On Thursday, Manchester United announced the departure of Michael Carrick from his coaching role, following a disappointing start to the season. The club confirmed its intention to appoint a permanent manager as soon as possible, amid reports of an agreement with the Argentine, Mauricio Pochettino.
The former Tottenham and Chelsea manager is currently with the US national team, and Manchester United would be required to pay £7.5 million to secure his release.
According to reports, Manchester United has reached a verbal agreement for Pochettino to become their next manager.
However, Manchester United legend Gary Neville has warned him against taking the job unless the club’s leadership can guarantee him support in the transfer market.
Speaking on a program, Neville said: "If I were Mauricio Pochettino right now, I would literally protect myself as much as I possibly could."
He added: "He has to insist on getting two defenders in January. He has to insist on a budget for next summer, and he has to insist on a budget thereafter. They must grant him this; otherwise, he shouldn't take the job."
"The worst defensive line in the Premier League"
Neville continued: "Some money has been spent on the midfield, but they need to bring in some good defenders." He continued: "I mean, look at the back four they finished the match with on Sunday—it consisted of Dalot at left-back, Noussair Mazraoui at right-back, Leny Yoro, and Aedan Heaven."
He remarked: "That might well be the worst back four in the entire Premier League. If you’ve been watching the games, I don’t know of a worse defensive line in the Premier League right now."
He added: "I can’t believe Manchester United ended up with a back four like that."
Disastrous Results for Manchester United
Manchester United have slipped into the bottom three, despite twice coming back from a two-goal deficit against Aston Villa on Sunday.
They have now gone eight matches without a win; their only points so far came against Ipswich back in August.
Their run of disastrous results also includes a 4-1 defeat to Como and a 3-0 loss at home to Bournemouth.
United officials had wanted to sack Carrick following those two catastrophic results, but they opted to wait until this week’s international break.
By delaying his dismissal for so long, they risked having to appoint an interim manager for their upcoming match against rivals Liverpool on November 22.
Meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino is set to lead the United States national team in their CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final tie against Haiti, before potentially moving to United, should the deal be officially finalized.
