Some Manchester United players are reportedly hoping for Unai Emery to replace Michael Carrick as manager, rather than Mauricio Pochettino, who is widely expected to take over. The news comes as Carrick arrived at the club's Carrington training ground on Wednesday morning, potentially for the last time.
Carrick was pictured arriving at United's AON Complex to take training with players not away on international duty. However, a decision on his future is expected to be made later today in Monaco, where chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are travelling to meet co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who controls the sporting operation at the club.
Board Meeting in Monaco
While no final decision has been made yet, Berrada and Wilcox are likely to recommend to Ratcliffe that a change is needed to turn around United's poor run of form. The team currently sits in the Premier League relegation zone with one win from 10 games.
United's majority owners, the Glazers, will reportedly also be part of that meeting, which is said to have been pre-planned as part of regular talks between the club hierarchy to discuss strategy. Ratcliffe has a home in Monaco, where his company INEOS also has offices.
Pochettino Deal Close
It was widely reported on Wednesday morning that United were finalising a deal with Pochettino in the event they part ways with Carrick, with personal terms close to being agreed. Pochettino, formerly of Tottenham, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Southampton, is currently head coach of the United States Men's National Team (USMNT). He signed a new contract through the 2030 World Cup in August, after leading the USA to the World Cup last 16 on home soil in the summer.
However, there is a clause in that deal that would allow United to release him early for a fee of $10 million (£7.5m). The USA have a crucial two-legged CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final tie against Haiti coming up, with the first game in Miami on Saturday.
Other Candidates and Player Preferences
Ex-Newcastle manager Eddie Howe had also been thought to be a favoured candidate to replace Carrick, along with former Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann. Antonio Conte had also been linked with the post, along with Aston Villa's Emery and Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler.
talkSPORT claim that United's senior stars expect Carrick to be sacked and Pochettino to become their new manager, marking his first return to the Premier League since a one-season spell at Chelsea in 2023/24. However, the same report says that some United players were hoping for the appointment of Emery, who is set to sign a new long-term contract extension at Villa Park instead.
