Manchester United have opened discussions with Mauricio Pochettino over replacing Michael Carrick, whose departure as head coach is expected to be confirmed this week as the club considers another managerial change.
Carrick’s future is due to be discussed at a meeting in Monaco on Wednesday, attended by chief executive Omar Berrada, director of football Jason Wilcox and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The expectation is that Berrada and Wilcox will recommend that the former United midfielder be dismissed.
Attention has already turned to Pochettino, with preliminary talks under way about bringing the 54-year-old back to the Premier League. United have approached the former Tottenham, Southampton and Chelsea manager on three previous occasions, following the departures of José Mourinho in 2018 and Erik ten Hag in both 2022 and 2024.
Pochettino renewed his contract as United States head coach in August but has a $10m (£7.5m) release clause. The USA have a two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against Haiti over the coming week, potentially complicating any immediate move.
Berrada and Wilcox’s trip to Monaco was originally scheduled as part of their regular discussions about the club’s strategy, but Carrick’s position is expected to dominate proceedings.
United’s predicament has become increasingly difficult to ignore. They sit 18th in the Premier League after winning just one of their opening 10 matches and failing to register a victory since August. It is their worst position at this stage of a top-flight campaign since 1986-87, when they were 20th.
Pochettino brings considerable English football experience. After taking charge of Southampton in January 2013, he spent five years at Tottenham, guiding the north London club to the 2019 Champions League final. He subsequently managed Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea before accepting the USA position in September 2024.
He led the World Cup co-hosts to the last 16 at the 2026 tournament, but a return to club management now appears a possibility as United contemplate another change at the top.
