New, former Manchester United manager hint dropped amid 'Mauricio Pochettino U-turn'

Manchester United set to sack Michael Carrick this week; Mauricio Pochettino emerges as preferred replacement after Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann ruled out.

Manchester United are poised to part company with manager Michael Carrick this week following a crisis meeting scheduled for Wednesday in Monaco with club executives including Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox. Carrick's position has deteriorated after just one win in 11 games, with United's latest performance—a 2-2 draw at home to Aston Villa—again raising concerns despite a late comeback. The club currently sits in the relegation zone after 10 Premier League matches.

Three candidates have emerged as potential replacements: Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann, and Mauricio Pochettino, the current USA national team head coach. According to David Ornstein on The Athletic FC podcast, Pochettino appears to be United's preferred option, with the club willing to meet his $10 million release clause from his USMNT contract.

Ornstein reported that both Howe and Nagelsmann are not being actively pursued, leaving Pochettino as the leading candidate by process of elimination.

Pochettino was previously considered by Ineos in 2024 when Erik ten Hag's position was under threat, though Ornstein indicated the feedback from those discussions was not entirely positive, with concerns raised about his coaching and work rate at the time. A final decision on Carrick's future is expected by Thursday.