Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has described Mauricio Pochettino as a brilliant person and a brilliant coach, but warned that the Argentine faces a monumental challenge as he prepares to take charge at Old Trafford.

United have reached an agreement for the United States head coach to replace Michael Carrick, with Pochettino expected to sign a two-and-a-half-year contract running until 2029, subject to the completion of the deal.

The club are set to pay US Soccer $10 million to release the 54-year-old from his contract, plus a further $2 million to secure the departure of his coaching staff.

Neville, who has previously backed Pochettino for the United job, believes the former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea manager has several of the qualities needed to handle the demands of the position.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Neville said he has always wanted Pochettino as United manager and has said so numerous times. He believes the Argentine will handle the media well and understands the size of the club.

However, the former England defender cautioned that Pochettino’s experience and personality alone will not be enough to transform United’s fortunes. Winning everybody over, getting everyone on side and building a team that can compete, he said, is a monumental task.

Neville highlighted Pochettino’s commitment to developing young players as an important asset, noting that the incoming coach will need to improve individuals through coaching while building a more competitive side.

He also urged the Argentine to seek firm assurances over recruitment, arguing that United need two defenders in January and a meaningful transfer budget next summer to support the rebuilding process.

Pochettino is expected to complete his commitments with the United States during the international break before taking up his new role in Manchester.

His arrival would begin another managerial chapter at Old Trafford, but Neville’s assessment underlines the wider challenge: appointing an accomplished coach must be accompanied by squad improvements and sustained backing if United are to recover.