Canada v United States - Source: Getty
Canada v United States - Source: Getty
Dejan Lovren has explained why he cannot see Mauricio Pochettino working at Manchester United, arguing the problems at Old Trafford go beyond the dugout.
Manchester United have lined up Pochettino to replace Michael Carrick. Sky Sports News reported on Wednesday that an agreement in principle is in place, with the £7m release clause in his USA contract not thought an obstacle. Carrick, whose side are 18th with eight points from 10 league games, reported to Carrington on Wednesday while Omar Berrada, Jason Wilcox and Sir Jim Ratcliffe met in Monaco to decide his future.
Speaking to Hajper, the former Liverpool defender said (via Tribal Football):
“I know Mauricio Pochettino really well, and I know what he likes, but I don’t see him at Man Utd. He’s quite smart and knows what’s going on around the club, and there is definitely a bigger issue than just changing the manager.”
He then added:
“Even with Michael Carrick, you feel there is something good in him, but there is a bigger issue. The foundations are not quite right.”
On the wider state of the club, he added:
“There is a period where things can go wrong, but now it’s getting out of hand for how many years Manchester United has not been at the top for such a big club.”
Lovren knows Pochettino from their season together at Southampton in 2013-14, before his £20m move to Liverpool, where he made 185 appearances and won the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League a year later.
The numbers are stark. Manchester United have conceded 19 goals in 10 league games and needed two stoppage-time goals from substitutes to rescue a point against Aston Villa on Sunday. Their eight-match winless league run is a club record in the Premier League era.
Liverpool at Anfield up next for Manchester United
The fixture list gives United no time to settle. Liverpool host them at Anfield on Sunday, November 22, in the first match after the international break.
Pochettino is still due to take charge of the USA for two matches against Haiti during this international break, and United would need to agree a release with the US Soccer Federation.
Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool are fourth on 18 points after a 3-1 win at Crystal Palace, while Manchester United have won the last two meetings, 2-1 at Anfield in October 2025 and 3-2 at Old Trafford in May.
Whoever is in the dugout inherits a defence that has conceded 30 goals in 15 matches in all competitions and a side with one league win since August.