Harry Redknapp: ‘The only way is up’ for Pochettino at Man Utd

Harry Redknapp believes Mauricio Pochettino has walked into Manchester United at the perfect time, but has warned that the squad he inherits will make the job “more difficult”.

United are 18th after ten Premier League games, and Michael Carrick was sacked this week after the club’s worst-ever start to a Premier League season.

For Redknapp, who faced a similar rescue job at Tottenham, that is exactly why the move makes sense.

Harry Redknapp on Pochettino: ‘What an opportunity’

“What an opportunity it is for him,” Redknapp told the BBC World Service, as reported by BBC Sport.

“The club is in such a bad position right now that the only way is up for whoever comes in. It can’t get much worse than being in the Premier League bottom three – and Manchester United are certainly not going to get relegated.

“Pochettino has a great opportunity now.”

Redknapp knows the feeling. He took over at Spurs when they had taken just two points from their first eight games, and he believed the players were far better than their results.

The warning: ‘Not particularly good players’

Redknapp says Pochettino has a much harder task than he did in north London, because the squad is weaker than the one he inherited.

“I don’t think he has got particularly good players to work with so it is going to be more difficult for him,” he said.

He also believes recruitment is the real issue. “I assume he will want a big say on recruitment going forward. He won’t want to leave it to the people who have brought in average players for the past few years. He needs to have a big say because Manchester United need rebuilding badly.”

Writing separately in The Sun, Redknapp described United’s players as “a shocking Manchester United squad”.

Jack Shaw’s verdict: Redknapp is right on both counts

I think Harry has nailed it here. Both halves of his argument are true at the same time.

Pochettino has considerable room to improve United’s results, but their position leaves little margin for another poor run. Eighteenth is not where a club this size should ever be, and any upturn will be seen as progress.

But the squad is the real issue. At Spurs, Redknapp inherited good players who were underperforming. Pochettino is inheriting a squad that, in Redknapp’s view, is simply not good enough.

And his point about recruitment matters most. If the people choosing the players do not change how they work, the manager will not matter.

What comes next for Pochettino and Man Utd

Pochettino is expected to begin work after completing his final USA camp. His first match will be a huge one: Liverpool v Man Utd at Anfield on Sunday 22 November, with a 4.30pm kick-off on Sky Sports.

Redknapp thinks the only way is up. Anfield will be the first test of that.

Catch up on how the Pochettino to Man Utd story unfolded, when Pochettino starts and follow the latest on our football hub.

Harry Redknapp on Pochettino: FAQ

What did Harry Redknapp say about Pochettino at Man Utd?
He called it “an opportunity” and said “the only way is up” for United, but warned that Pochettino does not have “particularly good players” to work with.

When does Pochettino start at Man Utd?
He is expected to begin work after completing his final USA camp. His first match is Liverpool v Man Utd at Anfield on Sunday 22 November.

Where are Man Utd in the Premier League?
18th after ten games, after the club’s worst-ever start to a Premier League season.