Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as the leading contender to replace Michael Carrick as Manchester United head coach, with a verbal agreement in principle reportedly reached and formal contact made with U.S. Soccer.
Manchester United headed into the final international break of the year with uncertainty over the managerial position, and the next few days are set to prove crucial. Carrick was left on the brink following United's 4-4 draw at home to Aston Villa, a result that leaves the side in the Premier League relegation zone after one win from their opening 10 matches.
Verbal agreement and formal contact
According to The Athletic, Pochettino's representatives spent Tuesday discussing personal terms with Manchester United officials, with no major obstacles expected and a final agreement expected. It has since been reported that United have reached a verbal agreement in principle with Pochettino to take over as head coach, though the Argentine is likely to remain in charge of USA's CONCACAF Nations League two-legged quarter-final against Haiti. The second of those ties is in the early hours on Wednesday, November 18 (UK time), which would not give Pochettino much time with the United squad ahead of the Premier League showdown against Liverpool.
Another major breakthrough came on Wednesday night (November 11) as Manchester United are said to have stepped up their pursuit of Pochettino. According to The Athletic, United have made formal contact with U.S. Soccer as they look to appoint the United States Men's National Team (USMNT) boss as their next head coach.
£7.4m buyout clause
For United to appoint Pochettino, it will not be a cheap deal. The Argentine signed a new contract with US Soccer in August to continue in his role as USMNT manager. According to The Athletic, there is a buyout clause in Pochettino's contract worth $10 million (£7.44 million) which United can trigger to bring him back to England. However, the buyout clause does not cover Pochettino's coaching staff, many of whom, such as assistant Jesus Perez, have been with him for most of his career.
Carrick's fate and transfer targets
Michael Carrick took training on Tuesday and Wednesday and, as of writing, officially remains United boss. However, Sky Sports claim he is likely to be relieved of his duties before the end of the week, once CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox have returned from their meeting with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco, which took place on Wednesday. It is understood that Berrada and Wilcox are likely to recommend to Ratcliffe that a change is made in an attempt to halt United's alarming run of form that has seen them win just one of their opening 10 Premier League matches. Furthermore, it is claimed that Carrick will be informed of the decision to dismiss him face-to-face.
Pochettino will run into an immediate problem at Manchester United, with the squad not capable of playing his high-pressing brand of football. The answer, it is suggested, is the transfer market, with Pochettino likely to require a complete overhaul starting in the January window. United have attempted to refresh different areas of the squad over the last two summers, spending hundreds of millions on the attack in 2025 before replacing the midfield during the summer just gone. The defence is crying out for investment, quite literally in the case of Lisandro Martinez, who attacked United's hierarchy over a failure to recruit properly during the summer. United require new full-backs, frequently playing right-backs on the left and then requiring a centre-half to fill in on the right.
