Pochettino expected to bring fitness focus and control to Manchester United

Former Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld, 37, said that Manchester United's new manager Mauricio Pochettino will impose a no‑nonsense, fitness‑first approach and will only retain players who follow his plan.

Alderweireld explained that Pochettino is approachable but expects strict adherence to his tactics, adding: "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 said the coach also stresses that the team comes first: "You need to think about team, team, team. If you're thinking about yourself, you're gone."

He noted that Pochettino will not hesitate to put non‑compliant players on the bench, stating: "If you're not following it, he'll put you on the sideline." The former defender also described the manager as a smart man who knows how to handle the press and create a "us against the world" atmosphere, adding that everyone will be expected to get fit and work together for results.

According to Alderweireld, Pochettino is "a control freak" in a positive way because he treats the body as a weapon that must be ready, monitoring players on and off the pitch through video and data and insisting that the squad stay fit and focused.