United look to wrap up Pochettino deal as Carrick sacked

Manchester United are working to finalise a deal to appoint United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino after sacking Michael Carrick.

The former Red Devils midfielder was dismissed on Thursday morning as confirmation finally arrived of what had been an open secret since the start of the week.

Carrick led United to third place last season, having stepped in following Ruben Amorim's acrimonious January exit, but the head coach paid the price for overseeing the club's worst start to a campaign since 1986.

Sunday's wild 4-4 draw with Aston Villa leaves them in the relegation zone and the 18th-placed side are now working to wrap up a deal to bring Pochettino back to the Premier League.

A framework had already been established for the former Argentina international's appointment, with talks understood to be progressing between the Old Trafford club and Pochettino's employers US Soccer.

Pochettino has a release clause - worth a reported $10m (€9m) - and the relevant parties are seeking to provide clarity before the USA's Nations League quarter-final first leg against Haiti on Saturday.

The ex-Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea boss is due to face the media at a press conference nominally previewing that game in Miami on Friday at 2.15pm Irish time.

Pochettino is expected to oversee the first leg in Miami and next Tuesday's second leg in in Cincinnati, Ohio, with United returning to action a week on Sunday at rivals Liverpool.

Carrick was handed a two-year deal back in May following a successful interim stint, but after a poor start to the season where they have won just one of their 10 Premier League games, the decision was made to part ways with the 45-year-old.

Carrick arrived at Carrington on Thursday morning. He was informed of the club's decision after director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada travelled to Monaco to see club co-owner Jim Ratcliffe earlier this week. He left United's training base shortly after 10am.

"Manchester United can confirm that Michael Carrick has departed his role as men's first-team head coach," the club said in a statement.

"Michael rejoined the club in January and guided the team to a third-placed Premier League finish by winning 12 out of the remaining 17 games of the 2025/26 season, accumulating the highest points tally in the league during that period.

"After a disappointing start to the season, the club has come to the extremely difficult conclusion that a change is necessary in order to achieve our ambitions.

"Michael is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend. Just as he did as a player, he has conducted himself with the highest standards of dedication and professionalism throughout his time back with the club. His leadership and achievements last season will always be fondly remembered.

"The club intends to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible."

Pochettino led training in Georgia on Wednesday but scheduled media availability with players was scrapped.

US Soccer confirmed it was cancelled in observance of Veterans Day, which removed the possibility of the squad being asked to comment on the news of their manager's potential exit.

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

The former Argentina international's appointment may prove inspired, but the way Carrick’s exit has been handled has caused anger externally and within some parts of the club given his years of sterling service to United.

Carrick made 464 appearances during a medal-laden time as a United player and becomes the seventh manager to be dismissed by the club since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

He oversaw just three wins from 15 matches in all competitions this season, with only one of those victories coming in the league as the 18th-placed side made their worst start to a domestic campaign since 1986.

Carrick took training at Carrington on Tuesday and Wednesday, with Berrada and Wilcox having met Ratcliffe in Monaco on Wednesday to discuss Carrick’s fate.

Ex-Newcastle boss Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann, most recently in charge of Germany, were in the early running but Pochettino has now emerged as the overwhelming favourite to be announced as Carrick’s successor.

Whoever does take over faces an uphill battle transforming an unbalanced squad lacking confidence and quality in key areas, including at left-back and up front.

The Red Devils return from the international break at rivals Liverpool on 22 November, with Ineos’ ambition to mark the club’s 150th anniversary with a title in 2028 looking fanciful.

The fans are putting unrelenting pressure on the club’s ownership and decision-makers, with calls for the Glazers and Ratcliffe to sell up going up a notch during last week’s Old Trafford games against Roma and Villa.

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