Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as the new favourite to replace Michael Carrick as Manchester United manager, with reports suggesting Carrick is set to be dismissed during the current international break.
Manchester United have won just one of their 10 Premier League games this season under Carrick, with that solitary victory coming against Ipswich Town. Every other team in the division has won more matches than the Old Trafford side at this stage of the campaign.
Poor form across competitions
There has been little respite in cup competitions either, with an early exit from the Carabao Cup at the hands of Brighton and six points from four games in the Champions League. Last week's 3-2 victory over Roma was the highlight of the season so far, but that win only came after falling 2-0 down early in the game.
While there is a general consensus that Carrick cannot be blamed entirely for the woeful results, The Athletic report that he is still expected to lose his job as a result and is likely to be dismissed during the international break.
Pochettino leads the odds
Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte were previously believed to be the leading candidates, but Pochettino is now odds-on favourite with the bookmakers to be Manchester United's next manager. The 54-year-old is currently in charge of the USA, having moved into international management in 2024.
After the Americans lost in the last 16 of the World Cup to Belgium over the summer, Pochettino was given a new contract that runs until 2030. Despite this, the bookmakers reckon he would swap the USA for Old Trafford and replace Carrick if given the chance.
Pochettino has plenty of Premier League experience, having managed Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea, although he did not lift any silverware during any of those stints. He spent a season-and-a-half at Paris Saint-Germain in 2021-22, winning Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France.
Odds and next fixture
Next Manchester United manager odds (courtesy of BetVictor):
- Mauricio Pochettino 4/7
- Eddie Howe 3/1
- Julian Nagelsmann 7/2
- Antonio Conte 5/1
- Gareth Southgate 8/1
- Didier Deschamps 10/1
- Kieran McKenna 12/1
- Fabian Hurzeler 12/1
- Sebastian Hoeness 12/1
- Unai Emery 16/1
- Carlo Ancelotti 20/1
The familiar trio of Howe, Nagelsmann and Conte are behind Pochettino in the odds, with former Newcastle boss Howe considered the most likely of the three to get the job. Other contenders such as Gareth Southgate, Didier Deschamps, Kieran McKenna and Unai Emery are considered possibilities but unlikely.
Manchester United's next outing is against Liverpool at Anfield on November 22, when a new manager is expected to have a feisty start to his new role.
