The international break can sometimes be seen as the perfect time to change management within a football club, giving players two weeks with their new boss to gel together without worrying about competitive games. Manchester United have clearly made that decision, sacking Michael Carrick and replacing him with current USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino.

Carrick had taken over the club during the previous season as interim, where he steered the side into Champions League qualification places. However, things took a turn for the worse this season, with the Red Devils enduring their worst ever start to a Premier League season, as they currently sit 18th in the Premier League table.

Former Spurs and Chelsea manager Pochettino was very quickly linked to the role as Carrick's successor, with the club appearing to have partially agreed to a deal before even announcing Carrick's dismissal.

Pochettino has confirmed he will manage the USMNT's two international fixtures in this break before heading to Manchester to take charge of the Reds.

The USMNT has improved under the Argentinian, and which players from the team could he decide to bring with him?

Antonee Robinson

Antonee Robinson has been a key player at Fulham for numerous years in the Premier League, joining the side in 2020.

The fullback has long been linked with a move away from Craven Cottage to a bigger club, but nothing has ever materialised. However, with his national team coach now making a move to United, it could be the time that a club takes a chance on him.

The Reds are in desperate need of a new left back, considering Luke Shaw's struggles with injury has meant Diogo Dalot has been shifted over to fill in, a move that saw the Portuguese player face lots of criticism from fans following his performance.

Robinson has just 18 months remaining on his contract, and it has been rumoured that United consider the American a potential target.

Folarin Balogun

Manchester United have faced struggles on the goalscoring front for some time now, with Benjamin Sesko expected to be out of action until the end of the season following an injury.

That injury has seen Carrick experiment, with Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and even Bruno Fernandes be shoehorned into the number nine position.

Joshua Zirkzee has been out of favour all season, and it looks likely he will be on his way out in January.

Signing a top-level striker is deemed near impossible during the January window, and United will need to make a sensible move for a player who can still score plenty of goals, and Balogun could be that smart move.

He came close to making a move to the Premier League in the summer, missing out on a move to Everton on deadline day, highlighting his intentions to play in England once again.

Since Pochettino took over as the USA manager, Balogun has been the main striker, leading the line at the most recent World Cup.

Considering Monaco were willing to negotiate a deal during the summer, there could be potential for a move in January, and Pochettino may opt to bring in a familiar face as his first piece of transfer business.

Tyler Adams

Tyler Adams first came to the Premier League with Leeds United in 2022, and has since become one of the league's best defensive midfielders.

INEOS did spend big on midfielders during the summer, bringing in Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, but none of the players have yet made a big impact at the club.

Adams joined Bournemouth following Leeds' relegation, and has been key to the Cherries' rise up the league, qualifying for European football.

Pochettino has seen first-hand the ability Adams has, and the two have built a good relationship, which would massively help the Argentine hit the ground running when he formally takes over at Old Trafford.

His contract reportedly runs until 2028, but he's been touted as a 'bargain' option for the Red Devils.

Alex Freeman

Another defensive reinforcement, as Alex Freeman could prove to be a good pickup for the right-back position.

As well as their struggles at left back, United are also in need of a new right back, with Diogo Dalot being a poor performer since the season began.

Freeman was given his international debut by Pochettino and has since become a regular starter in the national team setup, even scoring in the most recent World Cup.

He is also only 22, meaning there is a lot of room for him to grow into a complete package at right-back, and under guidance from his national team coach, he could become a key player at Old Trafford.

Freeman only joined Villarreal midway through last season, but has already featured in the Champions League, and he could soon be playing European football at Old Trafford, with the player reportedly in the club's sights.