Mauricio Pochettino makes large Man Utd change as Michael Carrick rule scrapped
Manchester United players will reportedly no longer receive a day off after matches under Mauricio Pochettino, with the new head coach instructing his squad to report for recovery work
Mauricio Pochettino is already making changes(Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United stars will no longer be granted a day off following matches under Mauricio Pochettino. Michael Carrick is believed to have seldom required the squad to turn up at Carrington the day after fixtures.
However, the incoming head coach will reportedly order his players to attend their training base for recovery sessions, putting an end to post-match rest days.
Carrick and the United squad were noticeably absent from Carrington on Monday after their 4-4 stalemate with Aston Villa at Old Trafford, with several squad members jetting off to join their international teams following call-ups for the break.
Mauricio Pochettino will be in the Old Trafford dugout against Liverpool(Image: JC Ruiz)
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According to The Sun, Pochettino is bringing in the fresh policy to enhance the team’s physical condition. The manager’s eldest son, Sebastiano, is also joining as a specialist coach focused on that area.
Charlie Owen currently occupies that role at the club and has done for over seven years, following his step up from the academy. He has been part of the first-team setup under Carrick, Erik ten Hag, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ruben Amorim.
The latter, much like Pochettino, brought his own fitness coach to United in Paulo Berreira. But he also left in January, and the pair have since been reunited at Milan, reports the Express.
Toby Alderweireld, who worked alongside Pochettino for five seasons at Tottenham Hotspur, told the BBC about his former gaffer: “First of all, he made us very fit. Pre-season was brutal.
“The way he wants to play – on the front foot, putting people under pressure, a high line, very dynamic play – you need to run. You need to be capable of running and be capable of high-intensity runs – the basic is to be fit.
“Every manager wants a good pre-season and time to give the players their ideas and the fitness, but the players are going to feel straight away that it’s a different level.
“This is every day at the training ground; it’s 100% – that’s what he asks, what he demands. It will be a big difference for the players, and they’re going to see results there straight away!”
