Manchester United have decided to part ways with head coach Michael Carrick, with reports first emerging on Monday evening that club chiefs are ready to make a change and work will begin on identifying a replacement. Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as the clear favourite for the job, and is said to be interested in leaving his role with the United States team to return to the Premier League.
Carrick's future to be decided in Monaco
Michael Carrick's future is being decided in Monaco rather than Manchester. Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox have flown out to meet co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has a home in the principality and whose company INEOS has offices there. Carrick is expected to again take charge of a depleted first-team training session at Carrington.
Carrick took first-team training on Tuesday, albeit with a reduced group due to international break commitments, after it was a surprise to see him at the helm. He is expected back at Carrington and could take training again on Thursday as the situation continues.
Pochettino leading contender
Mauricio Pochettino is now the clear favourite for the job, and is said to be interested in leaving his role with the United States team to return to the Premier League. Eddie Howe is another prominent name, but Antonio Conte and Julian Nagelsmann are reportedly not being pursued.
Pochettino, who signed a contract extension with the national team in August taking him through to the 2030 World Cup, is preparing for this weekend's Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against Haiti. He is expected to address the media this week and is likely to be quizzed about links to Manchester United rather than the USMNT's upcoming fixture.
Wilcox and Berrada retain Ratcliffe's backing
Despite fierce scrutiny of their positions at Manchester United, Wilcox and Berrada are expected to retain Sir Jim Ratcliffe's backing. According to the Telegraph, they still have Ratcliffe's trust, and a change to their positions is considered unlikely as things stand. Ratcliffe is placing his faith in the pair to navigate the club through its current troubles.
This does not bode well for Michael Carrick ahead of Wednesday's meeting in Monaco, as Wilcox and Berrada are expected to recommend a change of manager. A final decision may not come until Thursday, around 24 hours before Pochettino's pre-Haiti press conference.
