Mauricio Pochettino already has some big decisions to make regarding members of his squad after being confirmed as the new Manchester United manager on Friday.

Pochettino replaces Michael Carrick in the dugout at Old Trafford, and he knows he has a big job ahead of him given the trouble Man United have found themselves in this season.

Ahead of the Argentine's first match in charge against Liverpool a week on Sunday, the Red Devils are in the Premier League relegation zone after winning just one of their 10 top flight matches so far this term.

Aside from maybe Shea Lacey, no United player could claim that they have reached the levels that they did in the first half of 2026 when Carrick was in interim charge, and that needs to change quickly if the club is to push up the Premier League standings.

Pochettino is known for being demanding of players from a fitness point of view, and that is likely to be one of the first things he introduces when he officially takes charge on November 18.

With the January transfer window around seven weeks away, the 54-year-old and United chiefs will already be thinking about potential signings that can boost them in the second half of the campaign, as they look to rise up the Premier League table and progress further in the Champions League, if results go well in the next couple of months.

United signed three new central midfielders during the summer window, but they have some important decisions to make involving other areas of the squad in 2027.

The contracts of Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and captain Bruno Fernandes are all due to expire at the end of the campaign, although the club do hold one-year options on all of those should they wish to keep them around or protect their value.

Luke Shaw is in the same boat, but there is no option in his deal, and it will be up to Pochettino to decide if the player he helped bring through at Southampton is to have a future at Old Trafford beyond this term.

One player who should have no future at the club beyond 2027 is Martinez.

Portuguese defender Diogo Dalot has become a major scapegoat for some United fans in recent weeks following his level of performance out-of-position at left-back, with the 27-year-old even being booed by sections of the Old Trafford faithful at times.

Dalot, like many of his teammates, has been nowhere near good enough this season, but he has shown he is committed to the cause and works hard every time he pulls the red shirt on, even if the quality is sometimes lacking.

Meanwhile, Martinez caused real problems towards the end of Carrick's reign, having publicly spoken out about the club's recruitment following the Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid.

Martinez hinted that his teammates weren't good enough in that game, but many would argue that he has been a big part of their defensive issues in recent seasons, having joined the club in a deal worth an initial £48m in 2022.

The Argentina international does wear his heart on his sleeve, like many South Americans do, but he has also cost his team on many occasions, including this season when he was sent off for two bookings in the space of four minutes in the defeat to Chelsea last month.

Following his outburst after Atletico, the Telegraph has reported that the player was 'put in his place' by Wilcox in a private dressing down, leading to a fine and a public apology from the 28-year-old.

Pochettino may feel Martinez has some of the qualities he likes in a defender, but it feels like too many bridges have been burned for the Argentine to now be given a new contract, especially after publicly speaking out on Wilcox's work behind the scenes.

Pochettino must immediately put Martinez up for sale, and if the club can recoup some money for him in January, it could boost their budget for what could be an important month.