Manchester United are finalising terms with Pochettino, and Carrick is still waiting to hear his fate
The Athletic reports United have picked Mauricio Pochettino to replace Michael Carrick, with the club’s bosses meeting Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco on Wednesday.
Nov 11, 2026
Manchester United have their man. They just have not sacked the one he would replace. The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported on Wednesday that United are finalising a deal for Mauricio Pochettino, their chosen candidate, and are working through personal terms with his representatives. All of it hangs on the club taking what Ornstein called the “ultimate decision” to relieve Michael Carrick of his duties.
That call sits with Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are meeting him in Monaco on Wednesday to go through their season review and make a recommendation on Carrick, according to Sky Sports. Carrick was at Carrington, still waiting to be told anything, according to the journalist Ben Jacobs.
The USA problem
Prising Pochettino away will cost money. He signed a new contract with U.S. Soccer in August, less than a month after the USA went out of their home World Cup in the round of 16, and it runs through the 2030 tournament. His release clause is reported at around £7m. Ornstein says United have not yet contacted U.S. Soccer about it, and that bringing his backroom staff would need further compensation on top.
Sky Sports reported that Pochettino is open to talks if approached, and ESPN’s sources said the same. He has managed Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea in the Premier League. Old Trafford would be the biggest of the four.
The other names doing the rounds are not being chased, according to Ornstein. He does not hear that United are pursuing Julian Nagelsmann, Eddie Howe or Antonio Conte. “So by process of elimination, you kind of get to somebody like Mauricio Pochettino,” he said.
How it came to this
The table explains the hurry. United are 18th after ten league games with one win, and they have now gone eight Premier League matches without another. Sky Sports called it their worst league start in 40 years. Sunday’s 4-4 draw with Aston Villa, saved by Patrick Dorgu’s header in the 96th minute, did not change the mood upstairs.
Carrick has not lost everyone. Sky reported that supporters are not calling for him to go and that the board believes the players are still behind him. Some of the bosses also doubt a new coach would fix much. Sports Mole even reported that United are looking at adding coaching support around him instead of sacking him straight away.
I can’t see that happening now. Carrick took over when Ruben Amorim was sacked in January, finished third and earned a two-year contract for it in May. That record deserved better than this, but a club already agreeing terms with his successor is not a club about to hand him more staff.
United go to Anfield on 22 November. If there is going to be a change, the international break is when it happens.