Pochettino earmarks Rashford and six others as key men ahead of Man Utd unveiling

Mauricio Pochettino is poised to take charge of Manchester United, with sources close to the incoming head coach identifying seven players he is particularly eager to work with — chief among them Marcus Rashford.

Pochettino, 54, will replace Michael Carrick, who was sacked following a meeting with club CEO Omar Berrada at United’s Carrington training base. He inherits a side sitting 18th in the Premier League after conceding 15 goals across Carrick’s final five matches.

According to the Telegraph, Rashford is expected to be one of Pochettino’s primary assets. Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Carlos Baleba, Amad Diallo, Patrick Dorgu and Luke Shaw are also said to feature prominently in the Argentine’s plans.

A source close to Pochettino told the Telegraph: “Mauricio has always loved Rashford. He will put an arm around him and give him that same kind of love he showed to Dele Alli [at Spurs]. Then it’s up to Rashford.”

Pochettino has spoken publicly about his admiration for the England forward before. During his punditry work at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he said: “I’ve always liked him. I knew of his process because I was in England, but I think he’s a great player. He just needs the confidence and for himself to believe, to put him at the top level. The quality is there for him.”

The comparison to Dele Alli is instructive. Attacking midfielders have consistently thrived under Pochettino, with Cole Palmer and Alli both recording their best goal-scoring seasons while working with him. Fernandes, a goal-scoring midfielder himself, appears a natural fit — and the Portuguese captain has revealed a prior connection, telling The Athletic that Pochettino was the driving force behind a move to Tottenham in 2019 that ultimately did not materialise.

Pochettino also has an existing relationship with Shaw, having managed the left-back during his time at Southampton before Shaw joined United in 2014.

Rashford has been sidelined with a groin and hip injury since United’s 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atlético Madrid last month. The club are reported to be optimistic he will be fit for Pochettino’s first match in charge, which is scheduled against Liverpool after the international break.