Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has singled out something important that Mauricio Pochettino would bring to the table if the US boss arrived at Old Trafford.

Mauricio Pochettino has seen his name linked with the Premier League club after the pressure has intensified on Michael Carrick’s managerial reign at the Red Devils.

Rio Ferdinand says Mauricio Pochettino’s ‘human element’ to his management would be vital for Man Utd

Mauricio Pochettino is preparing for the United States’ forthcoming two-leg quarter-final fixtures in the Concacaf Nations League against Haiti during the November international break. The former Paris Saint-Germain boss is under contract with the US men’s national team until 2030 after he signed a new deal following last summer’s World Cup.

Michael Carrick faces a potential sacking from his role as the Manchester United manager after the Red Devils’ shocking start to the 2026-27 Premier League season. United’s 5-2 comeback win over Ipswich Town at home in August is the only Premier League victory that the Red Devils have secured under Carrick.

Speaking on his podcast, Rio Ferdinand admitted that he would be open-minded to Pochettino replacing his former Man Utd and England teammate in the Old Trafford hot seat. The 48-year-old former United defender feels that Pochettino’s “human element” could bring the Red Devils dressing room together and add confidence to an underperforming side.

“I look at Pochettino and one of, I think, his biggest assets is that human element to him, and building confidence in some players, players being able to talk to him,” he said on Rio Ferdinand Presents.

“And I think that’s a big part of Manchester United at the moment. We’ve got far too many broken individuals.”

United legend Ferdinand added: “Like, I mean broken, like one jab and they’re on the floor, on their knees, looking for a way out. It feels like that’s what it feels like. And how that gets rebuilt is that coaching? Is that results?

“Is that somebody coming in and putting an arm around their shoulder? It’s going to be all of that that’s needed.

“And I look at that group and all of those names, and I’d say Pochettino is probably the one that jumps off the list as being able to have more of the things that you’re looking for to save a group of players and to build a group of players than the others, I think, from what I’ve seen and just the interactions that I’ve had with him over time.”

United languish in 18th place in the Premier League table and the Red Devils have lost four of their 10 league matches this season. The Premier League club will be out of action until 22nd November now, as the Red Devils will travel to Anfield to face fierce rivals Liverpool.