Manchester United Hold Talks With Mauricio Pochettino as Michael Carrick Faces Dismissal

UPDATE - follow-up to Man Utd open talks with Pochettino about replacing Carrick: Manchester United have started discussions with USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino to take over from Michael Carrick, who is expected to lose his job this week.

Meeting In Monaco

Carrick's future will be decided at a meeting in Monaco on Wednesday. Chief executive Omar Berrada, director of football Jason Wilcox and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe will attend the gathering. Berrada and Wilcox have flown out for a planned strategy meeting where Carrick's position is the main issue. Both officials are expected to recommend that the head coach leaves his post. Pochettino is currently under contract with the USA team after renewing his deal in August and taking the job in September 2024. He has a release clause in his contract. The coach also faces a two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against Haiti over the coming week.

Club Struggles

United currently sit 18th in the Premier League inside the relegation zone. The team has won only one of their first 10 matches and secured zero wins since August. This marks the club's lowest league position at this stage of a top-flight season since the 1986-87 campaign when they sat 20th.

Pochettino's History

United have previously spoken to Pochettino about their managerial role on three other occasions. Those talks happened when Jose Mourinho left in 2018, before Erik ten Hag was hired in 2022, and again when the Dutch manager was dismissed in 2024. Pochettino previously managed Southampton, Tottenham, Paris St-Germain and Chelsea, and led the USA to the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup.

Context

Premier League clubs often make managerial changes during poor runs of form to try and improve their league standing. Relegation zone battles create intense pressure for club owners and directors to act quickly. Finding an experienced manager who knows the English league is a common strategy for clubs facing relegation trouble.