Manchester United are expected to back their next manager and dip into the January transfer market to strengthen their squad, according to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs.

The Reds have endured a nightmare start to the Premier League season, having won just one of their opening 10 top-flight matches, and sit inside the relegation zone heading into the November international break.

Sunday's dramatic 4-4 draw against Aston Villa was Michael Carrick's final game at the helm, with United sacking the 45-year-old and expected to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as their new head coach.

GMS revealed on Wednesday night that an agreement in principle has been reached between United and Pochettino over personal terms, with the Argentine's USMNT contract including a release clause worth around £7.5million. To bring in his backroom staff too is expected to increase the overall cost of the hire.

United CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox recommended a change in the dugout to Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS during a board meeting in Monaco this week, with Carrick's time in charge coming to an end.

And if United do appoint Pochettino as Carrick's replacement, the Reds are set to back him in the January transfer window, GIVEMESPORT understands, with four main positions targeted.

It's believed that bolstering the defence is the big priority. Only Crystal Palace (24) and Ipswich Town (20) have conceded more goals than United (19) in the Premier League this season.

When including the Carabao Cup and Champions League, United have shipped 30 goals in 15 matches. That is the joint-most out of any team in Europe's top five leagues across all competitions, alongside Palace, Racing Santander and Sassuolo.

Speaking on the latest episode of GMS' Market Madness podcast, Jacobs said:

"They will know that to get Man United out of trouble first, let alone the grander plans to restore this club to its glory, there has to be some backing in January.

And defence is the big priority. They've done their midfield revamp. They could look for a source of goals, which is where the interest in Dominic Calvert-Lewin came from. And you have left back and arguably right back or right centre-back as well.

"So there's a lot that needs to be done. January is a tricky window, but my expectation is that Manchester United will try and back their manager in the market."

United's defensive frailties were laid bare in the eight-goal thriller against Villa, and a new left-back is thought to be among the club's biggest priorities. The Reds could do with adding another right-back and centre-back to their squad, with Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Leny Yoro all struggling this season.

The Reds revamped their midfield with Youri Tielemans, Carlos Baleba and Andrey Santos coming through the doors in a £150million-plus spending spree. But surprisingly, United decided against signing any new defenders.

That decision has backfired with United enduring a nightmare start from a defensive point-of-view, keeping just one clean sheet so far this season, which came in the 4-0 drubbing of Sabah in September.

Alongside three new defenders, United could look for another source of goals, which is where the interest in Leeds United forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin came from. The 29-year-old has five goals in 12 appearances for the Whites this season and is thought to be a long-term target for the Reds, having wanted him while he was at Everton.

Nevertheless, January is expected to be a huge transfer window for United as they look to escape from what has been a nightmare start to the season. The Reds need at least four new faces if they want to climb up the table and challenge for a top five place.