USMNT cancel media access as Man United eye Mauricio Pochettino swoop

Pochettino emerges as frontrunner to replace Carrick at Manchester United; US Soccer cancelled media access Wednesday amid speculation over his departure.

Manchester United are preparing to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as their next manager should current head coach Michael Carrick be dismissed, as the club sits in the relegation zone following their worst start to a season since 1986.

Pochettino, who signed a contract extension with the USMNT until the 2030 World Cup only three months ago, is understood to be keen on the Old Trafford post. US Soccer cancelled scheduled player media access on Wednesday, ostensibly for Veterans Day observance, removing any opportunity for questions about his prospective departure. Should he leave, US Soccer would be owed compensation.

Carrick's position was discussed by United's chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox in a meeting with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe on Wednesday.

Despite recent mixed results—including a 4-1 Champions League defeat at Como, a 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth, and a 2-0 defeat at Chelsea—the board granted Carrick the opportunity to turn things around following a 3-2 Champions League comeback win over Roma and a 4-4 draw with Aston Villa. United return to action with a Premier League trip to Liverpool on November 22.