Pochettino reverts to Mourinho method at Man Utd as ‘talks’ planned with ex-Red Devils boss

Mauricio Pochettino plans to ditch Michael Carrick’s post-match plan at Manchester United after revealing he’s set for talks with Sir Alex Ferguson.

Pochettino has signed on as Manchester United boss, becoming their eighth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

The former Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea boss will take the reins on Thursday after his last game in charge of the US men’s national team against Haiti on Wednesday.

And Pochettino admitted ahead of that final fixture that he’s “sad” to be leaving USMNT.

“It’s always difficult to say goodbye, but life is like this,” Pochettino said. “Always, you have new challenges, and, of course, I’ve always followed my heart and my dreams.

“It’s sad, but at the same time, we’re in the place that we wanted to be (with the USA). I think it was really tough during the two years, but I think we achieved something that is difficult to measure … to put a value on. But I think it’s going to be very good for soccer here in the future.”

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One of the key problems he will have to fix at United is their fitness levels. They’re 19th for total distance covered in the Premier League, 17th for high-speed running distance and 19th for average max speed this season.

And according to The Sun, Pochettino will insist the players report to Carrington the day after games for recovery sessions, with the aim of improving their fitness.

While Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim all told their players to report for post-match sessions, Carrick almost always granted players the day off following games.

Pochettino has never hidden his respect and admiration for Sir Alex Ferguson and says he plans to get in touch with the legendary Manchester United manager this week.

“Not yet, but for sure I will have the opportunity after Tuesday,” he said.

“I said many years ago and always I say the same – for me, Sir Alex Ferguson represents everything that I admire from a coach, a head coach, a man, a manager and I think he represents my values. I really admire him.

“For sure, from Tuesday, we will have the possibility to talk – if I will have time because it’s going to be very intense. But if there’s the possibility to talk, then of course I will do that.”

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