Alderweireld, 37, says Pochettino has a pragmatic approach to management and can get the best out of a team, provided you do it his way.
“He’s very approachable but you have to follow his plan. If you don’t follow his plan, you go off to the side and you don’t come back.
“You have to think about the team, the team, the team. If you think about yourself, you’re gone.
“As a player you have your own life, your own situation but he says ‘look, I understand and you can talk to me about it but the team is number one’ – that’s how it is and if you don’t follow him he will sideline you.
“He’s direct, has his own ideas and maybe you agree with them or not, it’s up to you. But you have to follow him and I think that’s something Manchester United need – a big character, everyone in the same direction, following the plan and if not, no problem, you can go. He’s the main man.
“He’s a very intelligent man, he knows how to talk to the press and what to say. He will create an environment like ‘it’s us against the world’ – we get back in shape, we’re a team. No matter what people say, let’s work together and get results together.
“At Spurs there was a coaching staff but he will be there. He knows everything. If he is not there, he watches the videos and the data. He knows everything about the players on and off the pitch – the players will be monitored.
“He is, in a positive way, a control freak because he says your body is your weapon and it has to be ready to go.”
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