New Manchester United manager hint dropped amid 'Mauricio Pochettino U-turn'

Red Devils look poised to sack Michael Carrick

Manchester United could well be moving towards appointing a new manager.

The Red Devils look set to part company with under-fire head coach Michael Carrick this week, according to widespread reports, with a crisis meeting set to be held in Monaco on Wednesday with club executives including Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox.

Carrick’s position has come under severe scrutiny after just one win in 11 games in all competitions, and United were almost embarrassed at home against Aston Villa at the weekend, falling behind by two goals twice inside the opening minutes of either half.

It was a game that they roared back to draw, with Patrick Dorgu notching an injury-time equaliser, but the level of the overall performance was again cause for concern, with the 20-time Premier League champions mired in the relegation zone after 10 matches.

New favourite: Mauricio Pochettino

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A three-strong shortlist looks to have come to the fore in terms of replacements for Carrick, with former Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, ex-Bayern Munich and Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann, and Mauricio Pochettino, currently the head coach of the USA national team, all considered.

Now, however, in an update given by David Ornstein on The Athletic FC podcast, it appears that the Argentine could well be United’s preferred option, should they be willing to meet the $10million release clause that the former defender has in his USMNT contract.

“Julian Nagelsmann is a name that has been mentioned, but I don’t hear that he’s one Manchester United are looking to pursue,” Ornstein said on Tuesday.

“Eddie Howe has been heavily rumoured, but I don’t hear that he’s one they’re looking to pursue. So, by the process of elimination, you get to someone like Mauricio Pochettino."

Pochettino, now 54, has been previously considered by Ineos for a couple of positions, firstly at Nice, and more recently with United.

Other option: Julian Nagelsmann

“In 2024, When [Erik] ten Hag’s job was on the line, United spoke to Pochettino,” Ornstein continued.

“I did not hear the best feedback from how it went. I was told they were a little underwhelmed regarding his coaching at the time, his hunger, his work rate.

“They ended up taking [Thomas] Tuchel and [Roberto] De Zerbi as their ‘final two’ and before ultimately giving Ten Hag a new contract.”

It is believed that a final decision on Carrick’s future is not expected until Thursday this week, after the United board’s meeting in Monaco.