Mauricio Pochettino’s 4-2-3-1 Man Utd lineup would keep most of the side that drew 4-4 with Aston Villa and change what the two midfielders behind Bruno Fernandes are asked to do. BBC Sport reports that United look increasingly likely to sack head coach Michael Carrick and that multiple sources say Pochettino is open to a move to Old Trafford, but the club haven’t announced a decision and nothing is confirmed.

Pochettino’s predicted Man Utd XI (4-2-3-1)

This is a prediction, not a leak. It is built from the XI United started against Villa on 8 November, official Fantasy Premier League injury data and the way Pochettino sets up the United States national team. The Liverpool game at Anfield is on Sunday 22 November at 4.30pm UK time, the first game a new head coach could take charge of if a change comes in time.

Why this Man Utd lineup looks the way it does

Lammens starts because he is the only United keeper with league minutes this season, 900 in official Fantasy Premier League data. BBC Sport rated him 4 against Villa, so he isn’t safe, but nobody else has played.

Pochettino described his United States side’s shape to reporters after a 1-1 draw with Ecuador in October 2025: “we defend with a back four, two midfielders and three and one,” and CBS Sports reported that the team build with three at the back. That asks one full-back to tuck in and the other to push up. Mazraoui and Dorgu fit that better than Dalot, who was singled out by the home fans on Sunday and replaced by Dorgu in the 66th minute. With Shaw injured, Dorgu is the obvious left-sided choice. Yoro and Martinez get the centre-back places ahead of Maguire, who was a doubt before kick-off against Villa and came off at half-time, while De Ligt hasn’t played a league minute.

The pivot is Mainoo and Tielemans. Tielemans scored his first United goal against Villa and Mainoo’s chipped pass nearly released Amad. Behind Fernandes they would need to cover for full-backs who leave space, which is the main risk in this shape.

Fernandes is the number 10 and Cunha the pick on the left. BBC Sport called Cunha “United’s most dangerous attacker” on Sunday, and he has to start under any manager. Mbeumo takes the right. Amad would be the first change off the bench, and Mount and Lacey also compete for the wide places.

Zirkzee leads the line because Sesko is out with a shin injury, as covered on the Sesko injury page, and he scored a stoppage-time goal off the bench on Sunday. Cunha through the middle is the alternative if Pochettino prefers movement to a target man.

How Pochettino sets up and what could go wrong

Pochettino has not committed to one system with the United States. Fox Sports reported that the team had largely played a 3-4-2-1 before the friendly losses to Belgium and Portugal, appeared to use a 4-2-3-1 in those two games and was outscored 7-2. Sports Illustrated reported in May that he went back to a 3-5-2 against Senegal that turned into a four-man defence without the ball. A United side with a leaky defence, 15 goals conceded in five games according to BBC Sport, would be a hard place to try out a flexible plan.

The squad also decides how much he can change. Zirkzee is the only natural striker available, left-back is thin with Shaw out, and the defence conceded four at home on Sunday. New managers rarely rip up the XI in their first week, so expect the names above with a different shape around them.

What happens next

BBC Sport says the board remain committed to reassessing Carrick’s position during the international break and that no final decision has been made. Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are expected to make a recommendation to Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazers. United are 18th, and the fixtures after Liverpool are Brentford at home on Saturday 28 November at 3pm and Newcastle away on Wednesday 2 December at 8.15pm.

FAQ

Is Carrick being sacked? BBC Sport reports that United look increasingly likely to sack him and expect a recommendation to the owners, but the club haven’t confirmed a decision.

Will Pochettino be the next Man Utd manager? No appointment has been made. BBC Sport reports that multiple sources say he is open to the job, that the club sounded out Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann in October, and that Antonio Conte is known to be keen.

What formation does Pochettino play? He has used a 4-2-3-1 and three-at-the-back systems with the United States, and has said his side defend with a back four and build with three.