Mauricio Pochettino could become next Man United manager with Michael Carrick on brink of sack

Michael Carrick’s job as Manchester United manager is increasingly precarious, talkSPORT understands. As reported by talkSPORT this morning, the Man United board planned to assess Carrick’s position during the international break after granting him a stay of execution following back-to-back drubbings at the hands of Como and Bournemouth . Club insiders insisted on Monday night that no final decision has been made on Carrick’s future. However, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are expected to recommend a change in the dugout. Owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazers will ultimately make the final call. Meanwhile, USA national team manager Mauricio Pochettino is emerging as a potential option to replace him. Former Tottenham boss Pochettino has always been keen on the United post and has a release clause on his contract which is not expected to be an issue for the Red Devils. Eddie Howe is another strong candidate, with the ex- Newcastle manager a free agent after leaving the club this summer. Carrick’s stay of execution Carrick was given three more games to save his job after losing heavily to Como and Bournemouth in October. In the first of those games, United lost 2-0 away at Chelsea , with Lisandro Martinez receiving a red card. A dramatic 3-2 victory over Roma in the Champions League followed, as the Red Devils came from 2-0 to win the game. And then another chaotic comeback came against Aston Villa on Sunday, with that clash ending 4-4 after two goals in added time somehow claimed a point for the hosts at Old Trafford. Carrick may have only lost one of his crucial three games, but his job as Man United manager is still in significant danger. And a change could well be made before United take on bitter rivals Liverpool on November 22 after the international break. Pochettino could replace Carrick Pochettino is one of the contenders to replace the legendary midfielder in the dugout should he be sacked. The ex-Spurs boss last managed in the Premier League in 2024 with Chelsea, where he spent just under a year. He took charge of 51 Blues games, winning 27 and losing 14. Before that, Pochettino spent 18 months as Paris Saint-Germain manager between 2021 and mid-2022. That spell followed a five-year tenure in charge of Tottenham, where he won 160 of his 293 games in all competitions, becoming a legend. He has now been USA manager since September 2024, leading them into their home World Cup this summer where they reached the Round of 16 . Altogether, in his 35 games as boss, his side have won 22 times. Meanwhile, as mentioned, Howe is another contender for the job. Howe has been linked with the United role amid Carrick and United’s woeful start to the campaign. Former Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann is also the running for the position if club chiefs pull the trigger, having been sounded out towards the end of October .