Mauricio Pochettino appointed as Manchester United head coach

Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed as Manchester United's head coach following the departure of Michael Carrick.

Pochettino has agreed to leave his role as head coach of the USA national team to take the helm at Old Trafford.

The Argentine returns to the Premier League, having had spells with London clubs Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea earlier in his career.

Pochettino's first game in charge of United will come against bitter rivals Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, November 22.

"Mauricio Pochettino has agreed to become the Manchester United men’s head coach from 18 November," said a statement from The Red Devils.

"The club has reached an agreement with the U.S. Soccer Federation for Mauricio and his staff to be released after the conclusion of their responsibilities with the U.S. Men’s National Team.

"The Argentinian is renowned for his high-intensity, attacking style of football, his dedication to building strong, cohesive teams and his outstanding record of developing individual players.

"Pochettino has consistently performed at the highest level of football across multiple leagues. He began his coaching career with Espanyol in 2009 before joining Southampton and achieving a club-record Premier League points tally in 2014.

"During five full seasons at Tottenham Hotspur, Pochettino established the club as regular UEFA Champions League contenders, securing qualification in four consecutive seasons and leading the club to its first final in the competition in 2019.

"In 2021, he joined Paris Saint-Germain, where he won the Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France and the Trophée des Champions before joining Chelsea in 2023.

"Most recently he led the U.S. Men’s National Team to the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup."

• Carrick's exit confirmed on Thursday

United took the decision to relieve Carrick of his duties on Thursday following a disastrous start to the season.

Carrick penned a two-year deal earlier in the year, yet oversaw just one win in 10 to kick off the Premier League campaign, a run of form that leaves the club 18th with just eight points to their name.

They are faring better in the UEFA Champions League, having collected six points from the opening four matches after Carrick masterminded wins over Sabah FK and Roma.

However, a disappointing 4-1 loss at Italian Serie A side Como proved to be the beginning of the end for the 45-year-old after his tactics were openly criticised by club captain Bruno Fernandes.

"It's a decision from the staff to not press man-to-man, and sometimes leave a little space in behind and try to get the ball in the first moment, to wait for them, to give them the ball," Fernandes said on TNT Sports after the defeat.

"But sometimes, when you give too much of the ball to these teams, they get confident, they have so many bodies behind the ball that makes you run a lot, makes people get frustrated, and then, obviously, when you recover the ball, the legs are, and the brain, much more difficult to make it work."