Mauricio Pochettino scraps Man Utd players’ post-match day off

New Manchester United head coach Mauricio Pochettino is set to scrap the players’ customary day off after matches as he looks to improve the squad’s fitness.

According to the Manchester Evening News, the squad will report to Carrington for recovery sessions the day after games, with the change taking effect immediately.

Under Michael Carrick, the players were almost always given the following day off. United’s physical numbers have been among the worst in the Premier League this season.

They rank 19th for distance covered, 17th for high-speed running and 19th for average top speed. Pochettino’s son, Sebastiano, who has worked as part of his father’s backroom staff at previous clubs, will help oversee fitness.

Former Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld, who played under Pochettino, said the players will immediately feel “a different level.”

The 54-year-old was appointed on Friday on a two-and-a-half-year deal after Carrick was sacked with United in the relegation zone, having won just one league game all season.