Skip to content Mauricio Pochettino takes over at Manchester United with an uncompromising message for anyone who refuses to run: follow the plan, or you will sit on the sideline.
The Argentine arrives at Old Trafford on 18 November after signing a contract running until June 2029. He replaces Michael Carrick at the helm of a struggling squad that desperately needs structure.
Also read: Pochettino Man Utd deal: how Michael Carrick was ousted
United currently sit in the bottom five of the Premier League for distance covered and high-intensity sprints. Former Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld knows exactly what those numbers mean for the squad when the new manager walks through the doors at Carrington.
Why Mauricio Pochettino demands total obedience
Alderweireld spent four years playing under the manager in north London. During that spell, Spurs finished second in the Premier League and reached the Champions League final.
The 37-year-old Belgian defender explained that the manager builds his culture around collective sacrifice. Any player putting personal ego ahead of the squad will find themselves cut adrift swiftly.
“He is very approachable but you need to follow his plan. If you don’t follow his plan, you go on the side and you’re not coming back any more.”
Alderweireld described the incoming boss as straightforward and clear about authority. You can talk to him about personal matters, but the team always comes first.
If players pull in another direction, they are discarded without hesitation. United have suffered from disjointed dressing rooms for years, but the Argentine will brook no dissent.
The surveillance inside a Mauricio Pochettino camp
Players at Carrington should prepare for relentless scrutiny from day one. Alderweireld revealed that Mauricio Pochettino operates as a control freak in the best possible sense.
The manager monitors every detail on and off the pitch. When he is not running drills himself, he studies training video and tracking data closely.
His philosophy rests on a simple principle: your body is your weapon, so it must be ready to fire. Players are constantly watched to make sure their physical condition matches elite standards.
He also works hard to protect his group from outside noise. He builds an intense us-against-the-world mentality, shielding the squad while shaping press narratives cleverly.
Fixing the running problem at Old Trafford
Carrick could not pull United out of their physical slump this season. United’s poor running metrics explain why they frequently get overrun by energetic opponents in the second half.
Alderweireld warned that the current squad will feel the shock immediately. Mauricio Pochettino requires aggressive pressing, a high defensive line, and constant front-foot energy.
That style cannot function without extreme stamina and repeated high-intensity sprints. Training ground sessions demand 100% effort every single day rather than occasional bursts.
The defender pointed to Tottenham’s famous Champions League semi-final fightback against Ajax to show the power of that physical edge. Spurs trailed 3-0 on aggregate at half-time in Amsterdam.
The manager skipped complex tactics during the interval. Instead, he challenged his team to dominate individual duels, use Fernando Llorente as a focal point, and fight for every ball.
How players will respond to Mauricio Pochettino
Can this United squad cope with such relentless physical demands? The players will quickly discover that talent alone does not guarantee a starting shirt.
Alderweireld believes the appointment gives the club the strong, authoritative figure it has missed. Everyone must pull in the same direction or risk leaving the project entirely.
While standard managers prefer a full pre-season to install their methods, this group faces an instant test of endurance. Results will come only if the squad accepts the physical strain.
United players have one final week before Mauricio Pochettino officially takes charge on 18 November.
Source: BBC Sport
