It is official. Michael Carrick's tenure as Manchester United manager is now over, confirmed by the club on Thursday morning, albeit this decision had been clearly in the pipeline for four days.
It is common knowledge that the international break is the best time to change manager, that is unless the replacement you want to hire is an international coach.
Negotiations with U.S. Soccer continue, but it seems likely that Mauricio Pochettino will become Man United's new boss. Whether or not he takes charge of the United States' two-legged CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final against Haiti remains to be seen.
To date, the 54 year old has had 35 matches in charge of the USA, certainly enjoying his two years across the pond. So, which three USMNT players could he push to bring to Old Trafford in January?
1) Antonee Robinson
While this current Manchester United squad is short in many areas, this is no more so the case than at left-back. Luke Shaw started all 38 Premier League games last season, but relaying on his fitness is a fool's errand, to say the least, with the Englishman featuring in just five of 15 fixtures so far this year due to injury.
In his absence, with no natural deputy, Diogo Dalot, Ayden Heaven and others have filled in there. So, could Pochettino push to sign Antonee Robinson in the winter? The 29 year old has been perennially linked with a big move but, with his Fulham contract expiring in 2028, is running out of time to do so. Clearly a Pochettino favourite with the US, this move would fill a massive area of need for Man United.
2) Alex Freeman
Similarly, on the opposite side, to say Man United fans are not in love with Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui would be an understatement. Thus, Alex Freeman would come in and immediately improve this defence. He has made 26 appearances for the Stars and Stripes under Pochettino, the most of any player, this illustrative of his rapid rise.
Just two years ago, Freeman was plying his trade in MLS Next Pro for Orlando City's second team. He then made just 42 appearances for the Lions' senior side and shone, earning a $7 million move to Villarreal in January.
He is now a regular starter for el Submarino Amarillo, scoring his first goal for the club against Valencia last month, impressing against Real Madrid at the Bernabéu. Still young and likely to be available for a relatively low fee, Freeman is exactly the solid right-back Man United require.
3) Folarin Balogun
Of course, Folarin Balogun's World Cup will be remembered for the overturned red card, sent off against Bosnia for a foul on Tarik Muharemović, only for Donald Trump to get involved, and the rest is history. What should not be forgotten, but may well be, is that before this, Balogun had been one of the stars of the tournament, scoring twice against Paraguay and then in that Bosnia game.
Thus, Monaco were planning to sell him for a big fee this summer, but the 25 year old's £40 million move to Everton collapsed on deadline day, walking away from Finch Farm having felt disrespected. He has since been slowly reintegrated back into the Monaco team, scoring against Paris FC before starting for the first time this season against Nordsjælland in the Conference League.
Thus, les Monégasques will be more than prepared to sell the Arsenal academy prospect in January, and one could argue that Balogun has played the best football of his career under Pochettino. With Benjamin Šeško sidelined long-term due to a shin injury, he could solve their centre-forward crisis.
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