Balogun linked with £40m United move as Pochettino prepares to take charge at Carrington

Mauricio Pochettino is expected to take formal charge of Manchester United at Carrington on Wednesday, 18 November, days after Michael Carrick was dismissed following a single win from the club’s opening 10 Premier League games — a run that leaves them 18th in the table.

The 54-year-old Argentine is currently completing his duties with the United States national team through their CONCACAF quarter-final double header against Haiti before making the move to Manchester. United’s hierarchy moved quickly to appoint him as Carrick’s successor, with the club desperate to arrest a slide that has already raised relegation concerns.

Pochettino’s arrival is expected to come with ambitions for the January transfer window, and one name already circulating is Monaco forward Folarin Balogun. The 25-year-old has a pre-existing relationship with the new United manager, having worked under him with the USMNT for the past two years. Balogun came close to joining Everton in the summer in a deal reported to be worth £40 million, but the transfer collapsed on deadline day. Limited playing time in Monaco since has left him open to a January exit, with the French club also said to be willing to do business.

The potential signing would address a specific need in Pochettino’s squad planning. Benjamin Sesko is currently sidelined through injury, and bringing in a natural centre-forward would allow Bryan Mbeumo to return to his preferred right-wing role. The Cameroonian has been deployed as a striker in recent weeks and has struggled in that position, but demonstrated his quality out wide during the international break.

Mbeumo played a key role in Cameroon’s AFCON qualifying win over Namibia, providing the assist for Bil Nsongo’s goal to make it 2-0 after Saidou Alioum Moubarak had opened the scoring in the 16th minute. Mbeumo drove in behind the Namibian backline on the half-hour mark, beat his man at the byline, and delivered the assist that effectively sealed the result.

The broader context for Pochettino’s January ambitions is instructive. His predecessor Ruben Amorim was given minimal transfer funds in January 2025, shortly after his own appointment, and United finished 15th that season. Whether the club’s ownership is willing to back Pochettino more substantially at the mid-season window remains to be seen, but the pressure of their current league position may force the issue.