Mauricio Pochettino Agrees In Principle To Replace Carrick At Man Utd
After twice fighting back from two goals down to snatch a dramatic 4-4 draw with Aston Villa, Michael Carrick insisted he knew exactly where Manchester United needed to go but the club's hierarchy appear to have already decided that journey will be led by Mauricio Pochettino.
Pochettino set for Old Trafford return as Carrick's time runs out...
Manchester United have reportedly reached a verbal agreement with current USA coach Mauricio Pochettino to replace Michael Carrick as manager, as they look to revive the fortunes of the struggling English giants.
Carrick's time in the Old Trafford dugout looks set to come to an end after United's worst start to a season in 40 years, with the club stuck in the Premier League relegation zone following an eight-match winless run.
Carrick's future is believed to be on the agenda at a meeting involving influential shareholder Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox in Monaco on Wednesday.
Berrada and Wilcox are reportedly leaning towards sacking former United midfielder Carrick.
Pochettino brings extensive Premier League experience, having previously managed Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea, as well as Paris Saint-Germain.
Pochettino only put pen to paper on a new deal three months ago, committing his future to the United States until after the 2030 World Cup.
Despite that, Sky Sports reported on Wednesday that United have now struck a “verbal agreement in principle” with the Argentine to take over as head coach. Pochettino has been touted for the Old Trafford job on a number of occasions in the past.
Any move would not come cheap for United, though. US Soccer would be entitled to compensation, with Pochettino believed to have a $10 million (£7.5 million) release clause in his current contract.
A scheduled media event with US Soccer players on Wednesday was called off in observance of Veterans Day, a move that spared Pochettino's squad from facing questions about his potential departure.
Pochettino is set to speak to the media on Friday ahead of a CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final against Haiti.
Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane heaped praise on his former Tottenham boss ahead of England's UEFA Nations League clash with Croatia.
“I can't speak highly enough of him,” said Kane. “We'll have to wait and see what happens but I know he's a great guy but also a fantastic manager.”
Carrick still reported for duty at United's Carrington training ground on Wednesday, but his turbulent spell in charge now looks to be only a matter of time from ending.
The 45-year-old had already earned a reprieve after he was widely tipped to be sacked in late October following a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth.
United then lost 2-0 at Chelsea, before snatching a dramatic late 3-2 win over Roma in the Champions League after coming back from two goals down.
Carrick Running Out of Time
It looked as though Carrick was heading for the exit when his side twice fell two goals behind against Aston Villa on Sunday.
When United then scored twice in stoppage time to salvage an unlikely 4-4 draw, it could have been another reprieve for Carrick heading into the international break.
After the game, the former England midfielder was adamant about his vision, saying: “I'm pretty clear where we need to go and how we need to get there.”
The two-week international break now gives United a window to settle the manager question before a trip to arch-rivals Liverpool on November 22nd.
We can confirm Michael Carrick has departed his role as men’s first-team head coach.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 12, 2026
Under Carrick, United have slipped to 18th their worst standing after 10 games of a top-flight campaign since they were 20th in 1986/87.
Carrick had been handed the job permanently in the summer after steering United to third in the Premier League as interim boss.
Carrick had earned widespread praise for stabilising the club after Ruben Amorim's turbulent reign was brought to an end with his sacking in January.
However, hindered by a disappointing summer in the transfer market, his side have suffered a sharp downturn this season, with United looking no nearer to ending their wait for a first Premier League title since Alex Ferguson's final campaign in charge in 2012/13.
Carrick has also found it difficult to keep control of his dressing room, dropping captain Bruno Fernandes after he publicly questioned his manager's tactics following a 4-1 hammering at Champions League newcomers Como.
He then left out Lisandro Martinez after the United defender took aim at the club's hierarchy over their failure to bring in top-quality signings.
United supporters have largely stayed behind Carrick, instead directing their frustration at majority owners the Glazer family, Ratcliffe and the underperforming players.
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