Mauricio Pochettino instantly rejects bringing former player to Man Utd as January plans emerge

A new era is beginning for Manchester United after Mauricio Pochettino replaced Michael Carrick, and the Argentine will be drafting a shortlist of players he wants to sign in January.

Pochettino signed a two-and-a-half-year contract earlier this week, becoming the eighth permanent boss to take over at Old Trafford since Sir Alex Ferguson departed in 2013. The 54-year-old has already cited it as "one of the most difficult" decisions he's had to make as he prepares to leave his role as manager of the United States men's national team.

The difficulty is reflected by United's perilous position in the Premier League - 18th in the table with just eight points from 10 games - but also by how hard it is to operate under the Glazers and INEOS. Nonetheless, with a January transfer window on the horizon and ambitions of gatecrashing the European places, Pochettino will get a chance to stamp his authority on the side.

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Mauricio Pochettino rejects January transfer for Chelsea's Malo Gusto

According to The Sun, the former Pochettino has already ensured players will train the day after the game, when his predecessors would always give them the day off.

The Argentine will also have a say in the profile of players they bring through the door in January, and it's become clear which positions need the most investment, notably centre-back, left-back and striker.

Michael Carrick was left short in these positions during the previous transfer window, which arguably contributed to his sacking, making them a priority under Pochettino.

For that reason, it appears the former Tottenham Hotspur boss will reject the chance to sign Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto, a player he used on 37 occasions during his time as manager at Stamford Bridge from July 2023 to May 2024.

“Pochettino was very happy with Malo Gusto when he was at Chelsea, so there is a connection," transfer guru Fabrizio Romano said on his YouTube channel.

“But, at the moment, Man Utd priorities are the centre-back is a position they want to cover, the striker, so let’s see what’s going to happen next.

Gusto has regularly been linked with a move out of West London after starting just three of their opening 10 Premier League matches this term. The Frenchman almost left in the summer, too, but the Blues' whopping £75million asking price proved to be a stumbling block.

TEAMtalk have since revealed that the 23-year-old is ready to leave the club in January and, while Man United are one of the clubs interested, it appears they're not willing to act just yet, at least until other positions are reinforced.

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What Mauricio Pochettino once said about Malo Gusto

It's become no secret that Pochettino became a huge admirer of Gusto at Chelsea. In fact, only nine other players in the squad featured more than the 17-cap France international during his time as manager.

Gusto was often the Argentine's first choice when Reece James was absent through injury, and he was soon impressed with how well the defender took to life in England after joining from Lyon in January 2023.

Speaking about the right-back in January 2024, Pochettino said: "He is so young, he looks more mature than he is. Came from a difficult situation at Lyon, adapting to a new country, new football. He is doing well.

"I am so happy with him. Always with a young kid, some mindsets are different; I am so happy that he can perform when Reece is out. It's a good contribution for the team."

The feelings between the pair were mutual, too, because a month later, Gusto said: "He (Pochettino) helps us a lot. He has tried to show us the desire to win, to keep fighting against every team. He talks to us a lot about tactics and technique. He is a good person as well. He tries to help us a lot, on and off the pitch. He is a good coach for this young team.

“That’s (the organising of bonding events at the training ground) what he has tried to do to get everyone all together. The most important thing during this new project is this: to help each other and stay all together. If we do that, we can win more.”

Pochettino's first game in charge of Man United is an away trip to Liverpool on November 22.