Teddy Sheringham admits he would have preferred to be given the job over Erik ten Hag.
The PSG boss had been in the running to take over from interim boss in the summer but manager Ten Hag impressed in his interviews with club chiefs.
United announced last week the Dutchman had agreed a contract with the club but former Premier League striker Sheringham wanted Pochettino because of his past experience with Tottenham.
‘I would have (preferred Pochettino), only for his experience in the Premier League,’ he said.
‘I love the way he plays football. It’s in the Man United style, or the style we used to play years ago.
‘I’ve got to be honest, I don’t know an awful lot about Ten Hag. He’s obviously a decent manager. But the club is in a bit of turmoil at the moment and it’s going to take an awful lot to turn it around.
‘He has a massive job on his hands and it’s going to take him a little while to become accustomed to the Premier League. Let’s hope he is given time – but we all know what football is like. We’ll see if he gets the time that’s needed.
‘The way United are at the moment, it looks like they’re in freefall to me because of the way the club’s being run, from top to bottom, and everybody’s rowing in different directions.
‘He has to be the man to pull it all together and make sure they’re all rowing in the right direction. It’s a real tough job. He couldn’t have come in at any worse time, for me.’
Ten Hag has signed a contract that runs until June 2025 with the option to extend for a further year.
‘It is a great honour to be appointed manager of Manchester United and I am hugely excited by the challenge ahead,’ Ten Hag said.
‘I know the history of this great club and the passion of the fans, and I am absolutely determined to develop a team capable of delivering the success they deserve.
‘It will be difficult to leave Ajax after these incredible years, and I can assure our fans of my complete commitment and focus on bringing this season to a successful conclusion before I move to Manchester United.’
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