If the “timing” had been different, the Argentine might have been in charge of the home team for Wednesday’s game.

“Soccer is all about timing.” These are the times for it to all come together and for the marriage to take place. It’s sometimes simply a matter of time. I don’t believe trains only pass through once. I believe that having the requisite patience and knowing how to wait are occasionally required. Football handles the ‘timing.'”

That’s how Mauricio Pochettino felt about being passed over for the Manchester United position in November 2022, after Erik ten Hag was appointed ahead of him while he was nearing the conclusion of a disastrous term at PSG. The former Tottenham manager had been considered the favorite for the job, but United chose the Dutchman after impressing the board during the interview process.

Thirteen months later, Pochettino is about to take his Chelsea club to Ten Hag’s United; two teams in transition that appear to be moving in opposite paths. The Argentine, on the other hand, might have easily been in the home dugout, and as Ten Hag continues to toil, there may be some regret within the walls of Old Trafford that he isn’t.

In recent weeks and months, it has been plainly evident that these are two managers with completely different approaches to man-management, and this is beginning to have ramifications for Ten Hag. According to recent sources, he is the latest in a long line of United managers to “lose the dressing room.” That is most likely due to his tough stance, as he said in 2022 that he can be “severe.”

To be fair to Ten Hag, his playing staff has presented plenty of challenges, but while he handled Cristiano Ronaldo’s very public exit with aplomb, his handling of both Jadon Sancho and Antony’s situations has drawn scrutiny; the former remains an outcast after failing to apologise for a social media outburst in September, which caused friction among the rest of the squad, while the latter has been welcomed back despite being at the center of an ongoing investigation.

Pochettino, on the other hand, is seen as a consummate man-manager, getting to know his players and taking a hands-on approach to giving each person what they need to thrive. When he does need to chastise his players, he does so in private. Noni Madueke suffered his fury earlier this season after being photographed on a night out while injured, but the fallout was limited to a bare minimum.

Indeed, after Ten Hag’s appointment, GOAL claimed that Pochettino was the players’ preferred leader, and they may be wishing they had gotten their way.

Given the hardship Ten Hag has experienced in his short time in leadership, it would be astonishing if he hasn’t ruffled some feathers. Despite last season’s relative success, in which he provided a trophy, a championship battle, and a top-four finish, some sections of the crowd, certain players, and people outside the club have not warmed to him.

His prickly nature has probably played a role, as he suffers in the PR war that comes with being Manchester United manager. Barbed press conferences in the face of difficult lines of questioning have been a recurring theme of his tenure, and the decision to ban certain journalists ahead of the match against Pochettino’s Chelsea – a reaction to the latest dressing room leaks – will almost certainly do more harm to his image.

Pochettino’s job has been to win over a support that sees him as a hero of one of their fiercest adversaries, Tottenham Hotspur. It’s far from over, but his kind demeanor and disarming manner off the field, as well as the welcome bite he’s shown on the touchline and in clashes with referees, have all contributed to shifting attitudes, even if the results on the field have been mixed.

The United job may have strained him to his limits, but it’s difficult to see Pochettino doing anything worse to endear himself to everyone involved.

According to current trends, the summer transfer window will be remembered as a huge failure for the Red Devils, with big-money signings Mason Mount, Andre Onana, and Rasmus Hojlund all falling far short of expectations.

With Pochettino in charge, things could have gone very differently, particularly in the unsuccessful chase of Harry Kane. United discontinued their interest in the striker as early as June, having been put off by Spurs’ £100 million ($126m) value, and instead paid a record £72 million ($91m) on untested Hojlund. Kane, of course, has since joined Bayern Munich, where he is scoring at an unbelievable rate.

Kane was said to want to stay in England, and Pochettino’s presence at Old Trafford could have been enough to seal the deal – either through the Argentine convincing his bosses to open their wallets or Kane submitting the transfer request that never materialised.

While his new recruits have yet to deliver, the Dutchman may have taken his eye off the ball in terms of outgoings as well. While Pochettino showed ruthlessness in assisting with a much-needed clear-out at Stamford Bridge, numerous relics of a bygone age remain at Old Trafford.

Despite United’s recent troubles, Ten Hag has been cautious to look to the club’s illustrious academy for inspiration. Alejandro Garnacho (19) has just recently earned a starting spot, and after a midfield masterclass against Everton, Kobbie Mainoo (18) was demoted to the bench for the vital match against Galatasaray.

Both, however, have demonstrated that they are good enough to be regular starters in two places where United is need for talent. There is little doubt that they would be under Pochettino. The Argentine developed his reputation at Tottenham by giving young players opportunities, and he was rewarded handsomely by the likes of Kane, Dele Alli, and Eric Dier.

“I’m not afraid to play them,” the Argentine stated at the time. If a player deserves to play, whether they are 17, 18, 19, or 20, we will give them the opportunity if they demonstrate character and maturity. But first, you must construct the player.”

Of course, different demands exist at Old Trafford, but when the alternatives are underperforming senior players who have been given numerous chances to show themselves, there should be a road for their academy prospects to grasp the opportunity.

That was the slogan heard from the Old Trafford stands during Sir Alex Ferguson’s illustrious era, and it’s pretty much all the United fans want to see from their team now: thrilling, aggressive football to get them off their seats.

However, under Ten Hag, they appear to be going through an identity crisis; unable of playing cohesive offensive football and prone to defensive breakdowns, there appears to be no particular tactical vision. He must be praised for bringing intensity to their play on occasion, but given that he is a follower of the Netherlands’ ‘Total Football’ and admires Pep Guardiola’s methods, his team’s performances to date have been boring and profoundly disappointing.

Of all, this is still a transition period, but it is difficult to defend the Dutch tactician given the quick impact of other Premier League managers such as Ange Postecoglou, Roberto De Zerbi, and Unai Emery.

Pochettino’s Chelsea have not had a great start to the season, but it is clear that the head coach has implemented his ideas and modified the way the squad plays – with varied degrees of success. The Blues have gone from goal-shy to goal-hungry, yet their defense still needs work.

Nonetheless, United fans will be seeking that brand of all-or-nothing aggressive football at Old Trafford, something they will try to avoid on Wednesday as the pressure rises on their ailing boss.