Mauricio Pochettino has reportedly ‘always loved’ Marcus Rashford, and eight Manchester United players are ‘winners’ of his appointment.

Former Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and PSG head coach Pochettino is set to give up his role as USA boss to replace Michael Carrick at Man Utd.

The Red Devils formally announced Carrick’s sacking on Thursday, which came after reports of an agreement with Pochettino.

Carrick has clearly been poorly treated over the past few weeks, but his sacking is justified after an embarrassing start to the new season.

The club legend leaves after only winning three of his 15 matches this season, with Man Utd in the Premier League relegation zone.

Man Utd’s results and performances have fallen off a cliff since Carrick got the maximum out of the squad to finish third and qualify for the Champions League last season.

Carrick was not helped by not being backed enough in the summer transfer window, but United’s squad is capable of much more, and they should gradually rise the table once Pochettino takes over.

And a new report from The Telegraph claims Pochettino is relishing working with several Man Utd players.

It is said that Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Carlos Baleba, Amad Diallo, Patrick Dorgu and Luke Shaw are ‘players who sources believe Pochettino will be looking forward to working with’.

‘Big winner’ of Mauricio Pochettino appointment revealed

But the ‘big winner’ of Pochettino joining Man Utd is winger Rashford, with it claimed that the head coach ‘has “always loved” Rashford and will relish the chance to work with the forward at Old Trafford’.

On Rashford, the report explained: ‘But it is Rashford, who returned to United this summer after spending a season and a half on loan at Barcelona and Aston Villa, who old colleagues of Pochettino believe has a special place in his heart.

‘One source told Telegraph Sport: “Mauricio has always loved Rashford. He will put an arm around him and give him that same kind of love he showed to Dele Alli [at Spurs]. Then it’s up to Rashford.”’

It is also noted that Pochettino publicly praised Rashford during the 2022 World Cup.

At the time, Pochettino said: “I’ve always liked him, I knew of his process because I was in England, but I think he’s a great player.

“He just needs the confidence and for himself to believe, to put him at the top level. The quality is there for him.”