Manchester United 'reach verbal agreement' with Pochettino to replace Carrick

LAST UPDATE | 2 hrs ago

MANCHESTER UNITED HAVE reportedly reached a “verbal agreement in principle” with Mauricio Pochettino to replace Michael Carrick as their manager in a bid to revive the fortunes of the struggling English giants.

The former Tottenham, Paris St Germain and Chelsea boss signed a contract extension to remain as United States head coach through to the 2030 World Cup just three months ago, and US Soccer would be due compensation should he agree to move to United.

Sky Sports reported Wednesday that United have reached an agreement with Pochettino, linked with a move to Old Trafford on several previous occasions, to become their new head coach.

Carrick was photographed arriving at United’s Carrington training ground on Wednesday morning.

A 4-1 Champions League loss at Como and 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth left Carrick’s job hanging by a thread, but the club decided to give him the opportunity to turn the situation around.

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Carrick’s side subsequently lost 2-0 at Chelsea, where they were unable to take their chances and saw Lisandro Martinez sent off, before last Tuesday’s thrilling 3-2 Champions League comeback win against Roma.

A scarcely believable 4-4 draw against Aston Villa followed on Sunday, after which the head coach stressed he would not walk away and was looking to the international break as usual.

“I’m pretty clear where we need to go and how we need to get there,” Carrick said.

“Obviously some of the boys will be flying off around the world and different things, and the group will be split for 10 days or so.

“But as a normal international week is, you know, we’ll have some training. We’ll have one or two days off, but not too much. But we’ll train, and we’ll get ready for the next game.”

United return to action with a Premier League trip to rivals Liverpool on 22 November.

Pochettino has spoken to United about the job on several occasions down the years, including in 2022 when the club turned to Erik ten Hag instead.

There is huge mutual respect between Pochettino and legendary former United manager Alex Ferguson. The pair have met frequently and Ferguson was known to have been very impressed by his Southampton side in 2013.

Pochettino has also spoken about attending the 1999 Champions League final in Barcelona where Ferguson’s United side completed the treble.

– © AFP 2026, additional reporting by Press Association

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