Pochettino faces daunting task at Manchester United

Manchester United's new head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, will start work on November 18, and he will have his work cut out for him. The team is currently 18th in the Premier League and could be bottom of the table soon, depending on the results of Sunderland and Crystal Palace. Pochettino's predecessor, Michael Carrick, was recently sacked, and the team has not been performing well, with only one win and eight points after 10 games.

Manchester United's current performance is their worst at this stage of a league season in 40 years. The team's haul of eight points after 10 games is a concern, and the omens are troubling. According to statistics, 41 teams have earned exactly eight points at this stage of a Premier League season, and 17 of them were relegated. Pochettino will have to work quickly to quash talk of an unlikely relegation.

One of the major issues Pochettino will have to address is the team's defense. Manchester United has conceded 30 goals across all competitions this season, which is the highest in Europe's top five leagues, except for French side Lens. The team has failed to keep a single clean sheet in the Premier League and has conceded at least twice in each of their past five games. Goalkeeper Senne Lammens has made several costly errors, and individual lapses elsewhere in the defense have also caused problems.

Injuries have also been a major issue for Manchester United, particularly in the left-back position, where Luke Shaw has been out. This has led to multiple changes in the back line, compounding the problems. The team's midfield rebuild during the summer transfer window has left them exposed in forward areas. First-choice striker Benjamin Sesko has not played since mid-September, and Bryan Mbeumo has been playing out of position.

Pochettino will also have to find a solution to the team's attacking problems. Marcus Rashford, who is currently injured, has not managed a goal or an assist since returning from a loan spell at Barcelona. Matheus Cunha and Amad Diallo have been inconsistent, and the team's attack has suffered as a result. Pochettino will have to get the best out of the team's senior players, including captain Bruno Fernandes.

Fernandes has been the team's talisman and main creative force for many years, but there is uncertainty over his future. He has rejected a second contract offer, and there are concerns about his commitment to the team. Pochettino will have to convince Fernandes and other senior players that his high-pressing, dynamic tactics are the right ones to get the team out of their current situation.

The Manchester United Supporters' Trust has expressed concerns about the team's ownership and has called for changes. The trust has stated that the Glazers' debt-funded takeover has burdened the club and that repeated changes in football leadership have not led to sporting excellence. Pochettino cannot change the ownership, but he can try to alter the mood music at the club by gaining the trust of supporters and improving the team's performance.

Key points

• Pochettino must quickly address Manchester United's defensive issues to prevent further damage.
• The team's attacking problems need to be solved, with key players like Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes underperforming.
• Pochettino's success will depend on his ability to gain the trust of supporters and improve the team's performance.