Manchester United have reportedly found their next manager before losing their current one. Sky Sports says a verbal agreement in principle is in place with Mauricio Pochettino, yet Michael Carrick is still in charge and nothing is official.

The timing shows how bad things have become. United are enduring their worst start to a season in 40 years, stuck in the relegation zone after an eight-match winless run. A 2-0 defeat at Chelsea was followed by a 3-2 win over Roma in the Champions League, one that only came after they fell two goals down.

So what do they see in him? Pochettino has managed 294 Premier League games with Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea, and is regarded as a great man-manager with a clear philosophy. He has long wanted the Old Trafford job too, and Sky reports he loves his role with the USA but feels he cannot say no to United.

The record gives United something to believe in. He took Tottenham to a Champions League final and reached EFL Cup finals with both Spurs and Chelsea. At PSG, he won Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the Trophée des Champions.

It also carries a warning. His Chelsea side finished sixth in 2023-24, and a Sky reporter notes he often struggles early at new clubs. That matters when his first test could be a trip to Liverpool on 22 November.

The price is not small either. United would reportedly pay around $10 million to US Soccer, plus compensation for his staff, only three months after he extended his contract to 2030. For a club in the relegation zone, that is a big bet on one man.

In our view, everything depends on whether his demanding, high-pressing style suits this squad. If it does, the turnaround could come quickly. If it does not, the first months will be hard, and the realistic target is to stop the slide first and think about trophies later.

So is Pochettino the right man, or would you have preferred Eddie Howe or Antonio Conte, who were also linked? Tell us in the comments.