Why Mauricio Pochettino is perfect to stamp out Michael Carrick’s biggest red flag

Mauricio Pochettino will bring a very different approach to Manchester United training compared to Michael Carrick.

It has been confirmed that Manchester United have sacked Michael Carrick, with Mauricio Pochettino expected to arrive as his successor at Old Trafford.

Carrick led United to a third-place finish last season, but leaves with the Red Devils in the relegation zone following a poor start to the season. There is no denying that Carrick made mistakes that led to his departure, and it is now up to Pochettino to paper over the cracks.

Mauricio Pochettino will rip up Michael Carrick’s training plan

Over the past two years, United have gone from one extreme to the other. Under Ruben Amorim, training sessions were extended to be longer and more focused on trying to adapt to his 3-4-2-1 shape. Then Carrick shortened training sessions and worked on more individual focus with the players. That philosophy worked brilliantly with no midweek fixtures, as United climbed to third.

But in pre-season, a red flag emerged when new signing Youri Tielemans sat down to speak to Rio Ferdinand.

The one word Tielemans used to describe Carrick’s pre-season training sessions was “chill”. He elaborated that there was not much high-intensity running in the training plan, partly due to player participation in the World Cup. But it drew a shocked reaction from Ferdinand at the time, and it has been a comment for United fans to return to when performances dipped in 2026/27.

From the very first defeat to Hull City, United were criticised for looking unfit. The running statistics in the Premier League reinforce that argument, with the Red Devils towards the bottom of almost every physical metric.

Pochettino’s imminent arrival should address United’s fitness issue given his coaching history.

Mauricio Pochettino’s ‘Gacon Test’ should help Man Utd’s fitness woes

When Pochettino spoke on The Overlap, he explained his ‘Gacon test’ training methods that he has used with different sides over the years.

“45 seconds, but every lap you increase the distance you run, so you need to increase your speed as you go. It’s ugly,” Pochettino said.

“So first 100 metres, then 105, then 110 metres. It sounds horrendous but it’s only 10-15 minutes. When I arrived at Tottenham, I was better than everyone.”

• READ MORE: The single Pochettino development which triggered Carrick’s sacking

United players can expect Pochettino to bring his intense running training to Carrington, where they will be put through their paces.

While Carrick tried to implement calm and control in United’s play this season, fans can expect a shift back to intensity and physicality under Pochettino.