Manchester United is reportedly considering a move to appoint U.S. men's national team coach Mauricio Pochettino as a replacement for Michael Carrick, according to a source familiar with the situation. The club is facing significant pressure following a dismal start to the season, currently sitting in 18th place in the Premier League standings after 10 matches, marking their worst start in the modern era.
Pochettino, an Argentine national, is under contract with the U.S. team through the 2030 World Cup. Preparations to potentially appoint him have been described as a matter of "due diligence," though no final decision has been made regarding Carrick's future. Other candidates reportedly considered in recent weeks include Julian Nagelsmann, Eddie Howe, and Antonio Conte.
Clubs often evaluate potential candidates and contact intermediaries before dismissing a coach. Pochettino has prior Premier League experience, having managed Southampton, Tottenham, and Chelsea. He took over the U.S. team in October 2024 and guided them to the round of 16 in the recent World Cup.
This is not the first time Pochettino has been linked with Manchester United; he was a leading candidate in 2022 before Erik ten Hag was ultimately hired. His previous coaching achievements include winning the French title with Paris Saint-Germain in 2022 and leading Tottenham to become a consistent title contender, reaching the Champions League final in 2019. He has yet to win a major trophy in England, most recently losing the English League Cup final with Chelsea in 2024.
Carrick stated Sunday that he would not resign from his position and was expected to lead training on Wednesday, despite mounting speculation. Manchester United opted against firing him last month, hoping for a turnaround, but a 4-4 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday left the club in the relegation zone with only one win from 10 games.