Manchester United have confirmed Mauricio Pochettino as their new head coach. He starts work on Wednesday, four days before his first game in charge, at Anfield.
Elsewhere, Hungary’s head coach says Dominik Szoboszlai and Milos Kerkez are fit to play on Saturday, Florian Wirtz scored in Germany’s 3-1 win in Serbia, Cody Gakpo’s Netherlands beat Kostas Tsimikas’s Greece 7-0, and Trey Nyoni made his England Under-21 debut. Alexis Mac Allister’s father says contract talks with Liverpool have not started.
United confirm Pochettino
Manchester United confirmed shortly after midday that Mauricio Pochettino, 54, has agreed to become their men’s first-team head coach from Wednesday 18 November. The club says it has reached an agreement with US Soccer for Pochettino and his staff to be released once they have finished their duties with the USA, who play Haiti twice during this international break.
BBC Sport’s sources say he has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract, until June 2029. United’s next game is at Anfield on Sunday 22 November.
Speaking at an emotional USA press conference, Pochettino called the move one of the most difficult decisions of his career, and said: “There’s not too many opportunities that can happen in your career the size of Manchester United, and when that happens, it’s difficult to turn down.”
Injury picture
Hungary head coach Marco Rossi said at his pre-match press conference in Tbilisi on Friday evening that Dominik Szoboszlai, Milos Kerkez and Bendegúz Bolla are fit to play. Asked whether the three were ready to play, he replied: “Yes, absolutely.”
Szoboszlai, who has a knee sprain, trained with Hungary on Friday morning with strapping on his knee. Hungary play Georgia in Tbilisi on Saturday at 5pm UK time.
There has been no new injury update from the club today. Its last squad update was on Friday 6 November.
Wirtz on target for Germany
Florian Wirtz scored Germany’s second goal in the first half as Jürgen Klopp’s side won 3-1 against Serbia in Belgrade in the Nations League.
In the same group, Cody Gakpo played just over an hour as the Netherlands beat Kostas Tsimikas’s Greece 7-0 in Amsterdam. The Netherlands and Germany meet on Monday.
Trey Nyoni, 19, made his England Under-21 debut, coming on for the final half-hour of a 1-0 friendly defeat by Portugal in Bristol.
No contract talks yet for Mac Allister
Alexis Mac Allister’s father, Carlos, has told ESPN that no talks over a new contract with Liverpool have begun. “We haven’t started renewal talks yet,” he said, adding that the club’s sporting director and head coach have changed and “there may be news before the end of the year.” Mac Allister, 27, is under contract until June 2028.
Transfer talk
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that AC Milan would try to sign Virgil van Dijk, 35, on a free transfer if he does not agree a new contract with Liverpool. His current deal expires at the end of the season. This is interest only. Credibility: Low.
The Italian website Calciomercato.it says Lazio plan to open talks with Liverpool over a January loan for Federico Chiesa, 29, with an option to buy at the end of the season. No approach has been reported. Credibility: Low.
Around the club
Former Red Andy Robertson equalled Sir Kenny Dalglish’s Scotland record of 102 caps as Scotland beat North Macedonia 2-1 at Hampden Park.
Liverpool’s Under-18s have been drawn away to Ipswich Town in the FA Youth Cup third round, to be played by Saturday 12 December.
Fixtures (UK times)
Sun 22 Nov: Manchester United (h) Premier League 4.30pm (Sky Sports)
Wed 25 Nov: Club Brugge (a) Champions League 8pm (TNT Sports)
Sun 29 Nov: Everton (a) Premier League 12pm (TNT Sports)
