Mauricio Pochettino will imminently be announced as the next Manchester United manager and former Red Devils striker Teddy Sheringham has given a full seven reasons why he should make a £58m Brighton star his first signing at the club.

Carrick is still the Man Utd manager and took training on Wednesday as CEO Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox flew out to Monaco for their regularly scheduled meeting with Sir Jim Ratcliffe to ratify the decision to send him packing.

Although Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann were favourites to replace him at Old Trafford, Pochettino has nipped in ahead of them and has reportedly reached a ‘full agreement’ to take the helm.

Rio Ferdinand says Pochettino’s name “jumps off the list” of candidates for one key reason, while former teammate Paul Scholes believes the Argentinian boss may be past his best.

Fabrizio Romano has revealed Man Utd will likely have to wait a few days before Pochettino arrives, but conversations have “already” taken place over January plans.

And Sheringham believes striker Charalampos Kostoulas, who’s got five goals and four assists in all competitions this season and is thought to be valued by Brighton at around €70m [£58m], should be Pochettino’s first target in January to cover for injury-plagued Benjamin Sesko.

“There’s one player I’d like to see Manchester United go and sign in January and it’s the young Greek centre-forward at Brighton, Charalampos Kostoulas,” Sheringham told Metro. “What a player he is. I love him.”

Sheringham then gave seven reasons why he’s such a fan of the 19-year-old.

“I love the way he plays. He’s got energy, he knows his position, and he’s still a young man as well.

“He knows how to retain possession, and he definitely knows where the net is. He brings players into play, and has got that bit of flair about him.”

Next ‘big-money’ striker

Kostoulas joined Brighton from Olympiakos for £30million in the summer of 2025 and Sheringham expects his price tag to rise significantly this season.

“I think he’ll be the next centre-forward to go for big money,” Sheringham added.

“I’d be surprised if Arsenal don’t go for him before United have a chance so United need to get him in quickly.

“For me, he’s the next big prospect coming through in world football, and you’ve got to get him in to lead the line.

“I know he’s only a young lad but he’s just got that stature about him, and he’s full of confidence. Confidence is a massive thing. He’s playing with confidence right now and at the moment he looks fantastic.”