Mauricio Pochettino has been chasing the Manchester United job since 2019, and it seems as though he could finally be about to land it.

GIVEMESPORT sources understand that manager Michael Carrick is set to be relieved of his duties after a poor start to the season which has left Man Utd 18th in the Premier League table, with just one win from their opening ten games.

Former Spurs and Chelsea boss Pochettino is believed to be one of the top contenders, with his new contract with the USMNT, which runs until 2030, containing a $10m (£7.4m) release clause that can be triggered to get him in immediately, while it's also understood that he is very keen on the job.

Should he get the job and come in during the international break, his first game in charge will be one to remember: a trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool.

He will have the break to come in and start to implement his philosophies and style of play on the players that are not with their nations, which will include the likes of Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo.

But while some players will likely benefit hugely from his arrival and the way he wants to play, four in particular will suffer because they simply don't fit what he likes in his teams.

4 Harry Maguire

Harry Maguire has had a weird Manchester United career since joining the club from Leicester in an £80m deal.

He wore the captain's armband, got dropped, struggled for form, scored hugely important goals, and has now won his place back. But his form this season has been poor, and physically he has never been the most athletic. That's something that Pochettino likes in his defenders, and with the 33-year-old out of contract at the end of the season, it would be a surprise to see him kept around.

Considering Matthijs De Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, Leny Yoro, and Ayden Heaven are all in the squad and suit the type of profile Pochettino would prefer to have, this could be the beginning of the end for Maguire at Old Trafford.

3 Noussair Mazraoui

The Morocco international was a shrewd signing when he joined from Bayern Munich in a deal worth over £17m, and he has been a good servant at left-back, right-back, and even in central defence during his time at the club.

Known more for his defensive security than his attacking prowess, Pochettino is known to like full-backs who can get up and down the pitch and be of use further up the pitch. Diogo Dalot's profile suits that much more than Mazraoui's, and that means the former Ajax star could find himself as a firm back-up option under the Argentine's management.

His current contract is due to expire in 2028, with the option for a further 12 months, but it wouldn't be a shock to see him on the move in 2027 if he isn't playing regularly.

2 Luke Shaw

Luke Shaw made his breakthrough as a teenager at Southampton under Pochettino, and they got on like a house on fire. Man Utd snapped Shaw up in a £31m deal, making him one of the world's most expensive teens at the time, and he has gone on to have a long career at Old Trafford.

But now 31 and out of contract at the end of the season, it's clear that Shaw shouldn't have a long-term future at the club. As mentioned, Pochettino likes athletic full-backs who can get up and down the pitch, and Shaw's fitness problems mean he simply can't do that anymore.

His injury concerns have already seen him miss a host of games this season too, and with Patrick Dorgu being able to take the role and perform as Pochettino likes, and a new left-back expected to arrive in 2027, Shaw's time at the club looks set to be coming to an end.

1 Mason Mount

When Mount joined in a £60m deal from Chelsea, there were many fans questioning what the point of the deal was. Now into his fourth season, Mount is still yet to rack up a 10 goal contributions with the club, and his injuries continue to be an issue.

Pochettino may be a fan of his style of play. He is technically tidy, has a decent engine, and tends to make good decisions on the ball. But the 54-year-old prioritises fitness and ensures his teams are able to run for a full 90 minutes so they can compete at the highest level. That will put a lot of pressure on Mount, and based on previous evidence, his body would not be able to cope.

More injuries would surely see the board consider cutting their losses, and if he can't stay fit then Pochettino is unlikely to stand in the way of an exit.