Manchester United sparked two two-goal comebacks against Aston Villa on Sunday. In an eight-goal thriller at Old Trafford, Michael Carrick didn’t even celebrate Patrick Dorgu’s 96th-minute equaliser.

Rather, Carrick merely raised his finger to the sky. Despite the spirited fightback, he looked like a man resigned to his fate.

And so it came to pass on Thursday as United brought the axe down on Carrick. The former Middlesbrough boss went from signing a two-year deal to his dismissal in the space of 15 games.

Carrick certainly deserved a full-time chance at Old Trafford, but in hindsight it was the club’s latest disastrous decision.

They will hope, then, that they have at least appointed the right successor, with the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino imminent.

What are Pochettino’s tactics?

One major benefit of going from Carrick to Pochettino is that there will not be a major overhaul in setup. Both managers favour a 4-2-3-1 system, so the players are well-versed in the demands that come from Carrick’s successor.

The improvement will come in the way the team operates without the ball. Summer signing Youri Tielemans revealed before the season got underway that Carrick had focussed largely on ball-work in pre-season. Had United been able to dominate proceedings, then it is a decision that would have made sense.

Rather, United have either started matches slowly or ended games poorly as the players lack the requisite fitness to maintain Premier League standards for the full 90 minutes. That will change under Pochettino. This United squad is about to endure a very abrupt wake-up call.

The two-man midfield base benefits the creative star in the squad. It is no secret that captain Bruno Fernandes has become disillusioned with life at Old Trafford in recent weeks, going as far as to question Carrick’s tactics following the 4-1 Champions League loss to Como.

Now, Pochettino will ensure the midfield foundation in place is there to ease the defensive burden on Fernandes, who can instead focus his efforts on prying apart defences.

What will be interesting is whether Pochettino continues with the asymmetric full-backs that he deployed with the US men’s national team. Spurs in their pomp relied on Danny Rose and Kyle Walker at left and right-back to provide overlapping options.

However, on the international stage, when one full-back pushed forward, the other tucked in to form a three-man backline.

The wingers have the license to cut infield from their respective flanks, though the absence of a focal-point frontman means United fans will have to wait until Benjamin Sesko returns to fitness before seeing Pochettino’s gameplan come into full effect.

Which players stand to benefit the most?

Notably, Fernandes will be allowed to operate closer to the striker. Dele Alli thrived in a more advanced role under Pochettino at Spurs, and the new Portugal captain is expected to be granted the freedom to focus his efforts on chance creation rather than deep build-up play.

With a desire to play fast, transitional football, Marcus Rashford is another who could enjoy a new lease of life under Pochettino. Rashford should be a solid fit for the left flank, playing a similar role to that of Son Heung-min in his prime under Pochettino.

Elsewhere, summer signing Carlos Baleba, when available, suits Pochettino’s high-energy demands. He wants at least one of his deeper midfielders to carry out the nitty gritty, disruptive work that aligns closely with the middle man Pochettino liked in previous Premier League roles.

Patrick Dorgu could also come into favour at left-back. The Dane often looks to bombard up the flank, and his relentless work rate would sit well with Pochettino.

Predicted starting XI

Working on the assumption that Pochettino has a fully fit squad to work with, United could line up in the following system:

Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Martinez, Dorgu; Mainoo, Baleba; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Rashford; Sesko

With Sesko currently absent with a shin injury, United need attacking reinforcements. Joshua Zirkzee is not of the standard required, meaning a more consistent finisher to tuck away Fernandes’ chances created is the priority.

Folarin Balogun is a striker Pochettino knows well, while Monaco would likely push for a winter sale following a failed deadline day move to Everton. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was a potential target, but looks set to sign a new deal at Leeds United.

Real Sociedad hitman Orri Oskarsson is a wildcard option, yet has the experience that comes with playing as a lone frontman. The Icelander has scored four times in La Liga this season, despite registering just 595 minutes of game time. He is also not afraid to ruffle opposition feathers, so could be a handy option.

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Centre-back is another key port of call given the club’s defensive issues. Reports recently suggest that Calvin Bassey, Nathan Collins and long-standing United target Jarrad Branthwaite are on the club’s wish list. The trio would bring some much-needed Premier League experience.

In truth, too, United can upgrade at right-back. Diogo Dalot has hung around for too long, and improving upon the Portugal international, despite his ability to tuck in defensively, should be considered. Villarreal full-back Alex Freeman, another Pochettino has worked with on the international stage, has unsurprisingly emerged as a potential target.