United States defender Antonee Robinson says players in the men’s national team are not distracted by reports linking head coach Mauricio Pochettino with a managerial move to Manchester United.
The Fulham defender said the squad remained focused on their immediate responsibilities as they prepare for their Concacaf Nations League quarter-final encounter against Haiti.
“As a soccer player, we’re pretty used to sort of fast training environments and games…so we’re all very good at just focusing on the next task and about the next session or the next game coming up,” Robinson said on Tuesday.
“For me personally, I don’t really look at it.”
Pochettino’s future has attracted attention following reports that Manchester United are considering appointing the Argentine as a replacement for Michael Carrick, whose position has come under serious pressure after a poor start to the Premier League campaign.
Sources told ESPN that although Pochettino recently signed a new long-term contract with US Soccer, he would be open to returning to the Premier League if Manchester United made an approach.
The former Tottenham, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain manager reportedly has an escape clause in his contract that allows him to negotiate with major European clubs willing to activate his $10m release fee.
Robinson, however, insisted that his priority was to remain prepared for the team’s upcoming fixtures.
“It’s just focusing on we’ve got a game at the weekend and I’m going to do everything I can to be ready to play for him, and how he wants us to play,” he said.
The United States will face Haiti on November 14 and 17 in the Nations League quarter-finals, having recorded four consecutive victories since the start of the new World Cup cycle.
Meanwhile, teenage midfielder Cavan Sullivan has praised Pochettino for the confidence and support he has given him since joining the senior national team.
“He’s taken me under his wing in the most tremendous way possible. I was obviously a young guy coming in, and he told me to just play free and be myself, and have confidence in my ability,” the 17-year-old Philadelphia Union player said.
“That didn’t mean I was off the hook or the standard was lower for me. That standard remained the same for everybody in the camp and every training and every game.”
Sullivan was among 13 players who made their international debuts under Pochettino during the previous international window.
The November squad also features the return of established players, including Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Folarin Balogun.
The United States are scheduled to face Jamaica in an international friendly on December 13 after their November engagements.
