Fitness obsessed & 'control freak' - what can Man Utd expect from Pochettino?

Mauricio Pochettino heads to Old Trafford with a reputation for "brutal" pre-seasons, an obsession with fitness and a no-nonsense approach. Manchester United confirmed on Friday that Pochettino will become their manager on 18 November - replacing Michael Carrick - and has signed a contract until June 2029. BBC Sport spoke to Toby Alderweireld, who spent four years playing for Pochettino at Tottenham during a successful period where they reached the Champions League final and finished second in the Premier League.

Alderweireld, 37, says Pochettino has a no-nonsense approach to management and that he can get the best out of a squad, as long as you do it his way. "He is very approachable but you need to follow his plan. If you don't follow his plan, you go on the side and you're not coming back any more.

"He's straightforward, has his own ideas and maybe you agree with them or don't, that's up to you. But you need to follow him and I think that's something Manchester United need - a big character, everyone in the same direction, following the plan and if not, no problem, you can go.