Manchester United Pursue Mauricio Pochettino as Michael Carrick Faces Dismissal

What happened

Manchester United are working towards an agreement to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as their new head coach, moving for the Argentine before formally concluding the tenure of Michael Carrick.

United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, and chief executive, Omar Berrada, traveled to Monaco to recommend Carrick’s dismissal to minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who oversees the club's sporting operations. A full board meeting involving representatives of the majority-owning Glazer family is scheduled for Wednesday, where the decision to dismiss Carrick is expected to be ratified.

Why it is being talked about

Pochettino currently serves as head coach of the United States men’s national team, having taken the position to lead the program through competitive cycles. However, sources report he is keen to take over at Old Trafford if Carrick departs. Any move would require United to buy out his international contract, interrupting the United States' preparations just as their Concacaf Nations League campaign begins.

For United, the development underscores an alarming start to the campaign. Carrick, 45, has struggled to find consistency, leaving the squad languishing in the relegation zone and prompting the executive team to seek experienced Premier League leadership. Pochettino previously managed Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.

Key facts and numbers

- 18th position: Manchester United currently sit in the Premier League relegation zone.
- 1 league win: Carrick has managed just one league victory this season, against Ipswich in August, alongside three wins across all competitions.
- Carabao Cup exit: United were eliminated from the competition by Brighton in September.
- $10 million (£7.5 million): The approximate buyout clause in Pochettino’s contract with the United States, with total compensation expected to rise if longtime assistant Jesús Pérez and backroom staff follow.
- 16 years: The length of time assistant Jesús Pérez has worked alongside Pochettino.

What happens next

The United board meets on Wednesday, where club leadership expects Carrick’s departure to be confirmed and announced. Meanwhile, Pochettino remains scheduled to oversee the United States in Concacaf Nations League matches against Haiti on Saturday in Miami and the following Wednesday in Cincinnati. If negotiations between United, Pochettino and the US federation progress swiftly, United will aim to finalize the appointment before domestic league play resumes.