3 Super Eagles stars who can help Pochettino shine at Manchester United

Manchester United are set to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as their new coach, and that could herald the signing of one or two Super Eagles stars.

​The Red Devils had high hopes coming into this campaign, following their solid finish to last season with Michael Carrick as their manager.

​But things have not gone according to plan. Manchester United are having one of their worst-ever starts to a season. They currently sit 18th in the league table, with eight points from ten games.

​They have the joint-second-worst defensive record in the English top flight, having conceded 19 goals — the same as Coventry City. The only club with a worse defensive record than the Red Devils is Crystal Palace, who are rooted to the bottom of the league.

​Due to their struggles, they have parted ways with Carrick and are finalizing plans to appoint Pochettino as his replacement.

​The current Manchester United squad, although underperforming, needs to be upgraded. Most of the players in the squad cannot compare to their counterparts at other top clubs. With the January transfer window fast approaching, the club is expected to add fresh faces to its roster.

​In this article, Afrik-Foot examines five Super Eagles players the Red Devils could sign to turn their fortunes around.

​Calvin Bassey

​Calvin Bassey has been strongly linked with Manchester United in recent weeks, and with good reason.

​The 26-year-old defender has recently proven to be one of the finest in the English Premier League. Bassey is fast, physically commanding, intelligent, and very comfortable on the ball. He is also an accomplished tackler with an elite mentality.

​Bassey’s Premier League experience is another distinct advantage, as top-flight giants typically favor targets already who are used to the league. Pochettino likes to play high-tempo, front-foot attacking football, and Bassey fits this philosophy seamlessly due to to his pace and positional awareness.

​Moreover, the defender is a complete package due to his versatility on the left side of defense. With Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu struggling for consistency, he can effortlessly slot in at left-back.

​An addition like Bassey would provide Pochettino with much-needed defensive solidity.

​Victor Osimhen

​Victor Osimhen is another Super Eagles star who would be an exceptional addition to the Manchester United squad. The 27-year-old striker has established himself as one of the world’s premier marksmen over recent seasons, having succeeded in Belgium, France, Italy, and Turkey.

​A central factor behind Pochettino’s successful tenure at Tottenham was the presence of a world-class finisher like Harry Kane. If the Argentine tactician is handed a proven, elite number nine to build around at Old Trafford, that success could easily repeat itself.

​While Manchester United brought in Benjamin Šeško following his impressive stint at RB Leipzig last year, the forward has struggled for form and fitness since arriving in England.

​Although Osimhen is not entirely immune to injury setbacks himself, mentality, his relentless work rate and physical presence influence games in ways few strikers can match.

​Ademola Lookman

​Ademola Lookman is another dynamic option who could provide Manchester United with an immediate attacking lift. The Red Devils lack genuine depth on the left wing outside of Marcus Rashford, as Matheus Cunha is not a natural out-and-out winger.

​Lookman’s arrival at Old Trafford would be an enormous boost for Pochettino. The Super Eagles forward is among the most decisive wide attackers in European football and capable of tormenting any defender on his day.

​The former Atalanta star also brings proven Premier League pedigree from his previous spells with Fulham and Leicester City. Crucially, Lookman offers tactical flexibility, operating just as effectively as a primary striker or playing in the hole as a second striker.

​If United can pull off his signing, it would be a massive coup.