Manchester United are expected to relieve Michael Carrick of his duties this week following a horror start to the new season, with Mauricio Pochettino lined up as a potential successor. The club currently sit 18th in the Premier League standings, having picked up just eight points from their opening 10 matches.
Carrick's Position Under Threat
Carrick's position has been cast into speculation, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe attending an Ineos meeting for senior staff in Monaco on Wednesday where the Englishman's tenure will be discussed. It is also thought that CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox will present their case for moving on from Carrick at the meeting, despite calls from fans and pundits for the duo to also be handed their marching orders.
As a result, a number of names have been linked with stepping up to take the reins of the United first-team. Among those are Eddie Howe, Antonio Conte, Julian Nagelsmann and Gareth Southgate. However, former Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Southampton head Pochettino is widely regarded to be United's top target.
Pochettino's Contract and Release Clause
The Argentine is under contract with the US men's national team until 2030, although he is understood to have a release clause of around $10million (£7.44m) in his deal which the Reds could look to utilise to bring him back to the Premier League.
Speculation pertaining to the 54-year-old was further fuelled on Wednesday, with the USMNT announced that they would not be participating in media duties. However, the outfit were quick to explain that the decision was made in observation of Veterans' Day, and not owing to growing fears that they could be about to lose their head coach.
USMNT Preparation and United's Interest
It does, however, mean that the US national team cannot comment on any speculation surrounding Pochettino. The tactician is currently in the middle of preparations for a two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarter-final with Haiti. Those games are slated to take place on Saturday, November 14 and Wednesday, November 18.
United are understood to be exploring the terms of his contract with USMNT should they decide upon sacking Carrick. Pochettino is also understood to be eager to return to English soil and guide the Reds to glory once more, having come agonisingly close to succeeding both Jose Mourinho and Ralf Rangnick in 2018 and 2022, respectively.
Any appointment will come as United's third head coach in the space of a year. Ruben Amorim was relieved of his duties in January with Carrick initially stepping in on an interim basis until the end of 2025/26. Having guided United to a third-place finish in the Premier League, he was awarded a two-year permanent role this summer.
