Pochettino's arrival at Manchester United sets Ligt's departure in motion

In the empty hallway of Old Trafford a tense silence hangs as Matthijs de Ligt packs his suitcase, because the Dutch defender is about to leave Manchester United. At the same time Mauricio Pochettino is appointed as the new manager of the Red Devils.

The United States national team coach wants to secure two players at the Red Devils.

End of Carrick’s interim period

Michael Carrick’s adventure as manager of Manchester United has ended. After weeks of applause from supporters despite disappointing results, the club hierarchy saw the problem with the coach and not with the squad. Rumors have been circulating for a week that Mauricio Pochettino will take over Carrick’s duties.

The Argentine was previously successful at Tottenham Hotspur, where in the 2018/2019 season he eliminated Ajax in the Champions League semi‑final. The subsequent final match he lost to Liverpool. A later spell at Chelsea was less successful.

Manchester United speed up Pochettino hunt after Carrick’s exit

He then became the national team coach of the United States. The World Cup on home soil did not meet expectations, partly because Belgium was too strong in the round of 16 with a 1‑4 defeat. Manchester United is reportedly set to pay ten million dollars for his move.

Pochettino’s transfer targets and Ligt’s uncertainty

At United, Pochettino does not have an optimal attacking line upon his arrival, partly because Benjamin Sesko is heavily injured and the club is urgently looking for a striker. The coach is focusing on the national team and is not after Ricardo Pepi. English media report that Folarin Balogun, coming from AS Monaco, is the latest target.

Pochettino also wants Lisandro Martínez to sign a new contract with United, because the defender has not performed well for the Red Devils this season. Fans are turning against Martínez, who has an expiring contract this summer, and there is speculation that he will move to Atlético Madrid to form the defence together with compatriot Cristián Romero. The Argentine manager would personally try to persuade Martínez to extend his contract and to find a new central partner at the back, because the current lineup does not meet expectations.

For Matthijs de Ligt, who recently returned from a long‑term injury, this news is a bitter pill; his future does not seem to be at Old Trafford and he is already considering a departure in the winter.