Manchester United Close In on Mauricio Pochettino as Michael Carrick Faces Axe After Relegation-Zone Slide

Manchester United are moving closer to appointing Mauricio Pochettino as their next head coach, with discussions reportedly advancing over a deal that would bring the Argentine back to the Premier League.

Daily Mail Sport understands that the club are working towards an agreement for the 54-year-old to leave his position with the United States national team and replace Michael Carrick at Old Trafford.

United have maintained that no final decision has been reached, but the club are understood to be finalising arrangements with Pochettino. Bookmakers Betfair have also suspended betting on who will become the next United manager.

Ratcliffe Holds Talks With United Executives in Monaco

United chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox travelled to Monaco on Tuesday for a scheduled meeting of Ineos executives.

They are expected to present their recommendation to minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe on Wednesday. The discussions are widely expected to determine Carrick’s future following United’s slide into the Premier League relegation zone.

However, any decision to dismiss the 45-year-old would also require approval from co-chairmen Joel and Avram Glazer.

The club’s hierarchy is understood to prefer informing Carrick of his departure in person. This could delay an official announcement until Thursday.

US National Team Cancels Scheduled Media Access

The United States Soccer Federation cancelled planned media access involving national team players on Wednesday, citing Veterans Day observance.

The cancellation also means Pochettino’s players will not be available to answer questions about reports linking their coach with a departure from his international position.

Pochettino is currently working at the United States national team’s training base south of Atlanta, where preparations are under way for a CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final double-header against Haiti.

His contract with US Soccer was renewed following the World Cup in the summer. Manchester United would reportedly have to pay approximately £7 million in compensation to secure his departure.

The former Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Southampton manager has previously been linked with the United job. He was considered before the club appointed Erik ten Hag in 2022 and was also associated with the position when the Dutchman came under pressure two years later.

Carrick Reports for Training Amid Uncertainty

Carrick arrived at United’s Carrington training complex at 7.45am on Wednesday to oversee preparations for players who had not joined their national teams.

His position remained uncertain as the club’s senior executives prepared to meet Ratcliffe in Monaco. Carrick was later photographed leaving the training ground at approximately 1.15pm.

The former United midfielder took charge in January after Ruben Amorim’s departure and was handed a two-year contract in May.

If dismissed, Carrick would become the club’s third permanent head coach to leave during the current year.

Compensation Costs Could Approach £30 Million

Another change in the dugout would add to the substantial compensation United have paid to coaching staff and senior executives since Ratcliffe and Ineos became involved in the club’s ownership.

United have already spent £22.7 million on compensation since 2024.

That figure includes £10.4 million paid to Erik ten Hag and members of his staff following the Dutchman’s dismissal, which came four months after he had received a contract extension.

Former sporting director Dan Ashworth received £4.1 million after spending just 159 days in the position.

Amorim and his coaching staff were paid £8.2 million following their departure after 14 months. The amount could have reached £16.7 million, but United avoided half of that cost when the Portuguese manager returned to work at AC Milan.

Carrick would also be entitled to a pay-off because of the two-year agreement he signed in May. His potential departure would push the club’s compensation expenditure over the past three years close to £30 million.

Uncertainty Over Carrick’s Coaching Staff

The future of Carrick’s assistants has not been established, although some members of the current coaching setup could remain at Old Trafford.

Goalkeeper coach Craig Mawson was already working at the club before Carrick’s arrival and is considered likely to stay. Travis Binnion, who moved into the first-team coaching group after working with United’s age-group sides, could also remain.

Jonny Evans recently left his position as loans manager before returning to work alongside his former United teammate as part of Carrick’s coaching team.

The current group also includes Steve Holland and Jonathan Woodgate.

Sheringham Criticises United’s Performance Against Aston Villa

Former Manchester United striker Teddy Sheringham has criticised the team’s performances following their chaotic 4-4 draw against Aston Villa on Sunday.

Speaking to BOYLE Sports, Sheringham questioned whether the players understood when to press opponents and when to drop back defensively.

He also highlighted an incident involving Harry Maguire during the match, when the defender failed to direct a header away from danger or towards a teammate, allowing the ball to go out of play and Aston Villa to take a quick throw-in.

Sheringham described the incident as an example of the basic mistakes being made by the team.

He also expressed concern about goalkeeper Senne Lammens, saying the player appeared nervous and had made repeated mistakes that put United under pressure.

Although Sheringham acknowledged that the players showed determination after falling behind, he said the team’s current performances were not acceptable for a club of United’s stature.