Pochettino’s First Man Utd Signing Could Be Folarin Balogun

Barring any last-minute hurdles, Mauricio Pochettino is set to become the next Manchester United manager following the confirmed sacking of Michael Carrick on Thursday morning.

After winning just one of their opening 10 Premier League matches, and losing three of their five games in other competitions too, Man United chiefs decided to wield the axe on the boss they only appointed on a permanent basis a few months ago.

Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox travelled to Monaco to make that recommendation to Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and the decision was officially ratified on Thursday.

The Red Devils had very publicly already started working on Carrick’s replacement prior to his exit being announced, with GIVEMESPORT sources revealing on Wednesday night that an agreement in principle had been reached between the club and USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino over personal terms.

United are finalising a deal to appoint the former Spurs boss, and they are ready to pay the $10m release clause in his new contract too, as his appointment at Old Trafford edges closer.

It remains to be seen how United and Pochettino navigate the international break should a deal be agreed between all parties, with the United States due to face Haiti on Saturday.

Whatever happens, the expectation is that the Argentine will be in the dugout at Anfield for United’s next Premier League game against Liverpool a week on Sunday.

Key Events Timeline

• May 2026 — Manchester United handed interim boss Carrick a permanent two-year deal until 2028.
• Summer 2026 — United rebuilt midfield with Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Baleba after Casemiro’s exit.
• September 2026 — Carrick’s side blew a two-goal lead, losing 3-2 to Brighton in the Carabao Cup.
• October 2026 — Como thrashed United 4-1 in the Champions League, intensifying pressure on Carrick.
• November 2026 — Carrick was sacked after winning just one of 10 Premier League matches this season.

Pochettino will need to work exclusively with his current squad for six weeks before he has the opportunity to look at bringing in new players to boost his squad.

Fabrizio Romano already confirmed on Thursday that United and Pochettino have already spoken about the January transfer window, and that at least one signing will be made.

According to TEAMtalk, the Red Devils’ recruitment team believe that Folarin Balogun could be a good option ahead of the January window, and the arrival of Pochettino could impact the USA international striker’s view on making the move to the Theatre of Dreams.

Balogun Signing Makes So Much Sense

REUTERS/Carlos Barria

It’s no secret that the January transfer window is a difficult one to negotiate in terms of buying players, given it’s renowned for being more of a seller’s market.

If United wanted to sign a top new centre-forward for example, it would likely be more difficult to do that in January than in the summer, for many reasons.

It would be no surprise if Pochettino has already identified the striker position as a problem ahead of January, even if the Red Devils also have their defensive issues.

The club has had to make do without the injured Benjamin Sesko for the majority of the campaign, which saw Carrick use the likes Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes in the number nine position.

None of those options have really worked, while Joshua Zirkzee has been out of favour under the Englishman since he took charge in January.

With fitness concerns over Sesko, it is becoming increasingly obvious that United need a new striker in January, and Balogun could be the perfect signing depending on what type of deal can be struck.

The Red Devils would probably ideally structure a deal as a loan with an option or obligation to buy in the summer, but the player has made no secret of his desire to return to the Premier League having come so close to joining Everton on deadline day.

The big advantage of signing Balogun is that he already knows Pochettino and how he wants to play, which will save a lot of time and should help him make more of an immediate impact.

Because of injury, the 25-year-old didn’t play his first USA game under Pochettino until September of last year, but since then, in their 14 games together, he has been the Argentine’s key striker.

A reunion at Old Trafford in January makes so much sense, and it’s becoming increasingly obvious that the former Arsenal man could be Pochettino’s first signing as United boss.

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