Excitement is mounting among Manchester United fans regarding the potential appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as manager, should Michael Carrick be dismissed. Carrick is currently leading training sessions at Carrington, with his future expected to be decided this Wednesday.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the club's minority owner, along with chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox, are reportedly meeting in Monaco to discuss Carrick's position. The club currently sits in the relegation zone, increasing the likelihood of a managerial change.
Pochettino, the current USA coach, has emerged as the bookmakers' favorite to take over at Old Trafford. Recent footage from a documentary series, "Behind The Crest," has fueled this speculation, showcasing a passionate halftime team talk from the Argentine during a CONCACAF Nations League semi-final match in 2024. In the clip, with the USA already leading 3-0 against Jamaica, Pochettino urges his players to maintain intensity, stating, "Every single ball is the most important ball. We cannot play like we are winning 3-0. We need to go there and show the mentality. Take the next 45 minutes seriously. Take it like it is 0-0 and we need to win the game. That is the only way we're going to improve in our mentality."
He continued, "Be respectful with ourselves... We cannot concede! We have to go there and kill! If you are tired, we have players on the bench who can make a clear, clear impact and desperate to play. We have to press all together... We need to score the fourth, fifth, the sixth. That is the way we grow and respect the opponent."
Despite the rousing speech, the USA conceded in the second half but ultimately won the match 4-2. The footage has been widely circulated on social media, with many United supporters drawing parallels to Sir Alex Ferguson's legendary "hairdryer treatment" and expressing a desire for similar intensity from their team. Online reactions varied, with some fans strongly endorsing Pochettino as the right choice, while others expressed skepticism, citing the club's management decisions as a potential impediment to success.
Earlier in his tenure with the USA, Pochettino delivered another pivotal speech during a 2025 match against Australia, which was tied 1-1. He reportedly expressed frustration, stating, "That is football! If we want to compete and we are 1-1 because we have the quality, we need to show more quality in the next 45 minutes. Play together. If you make a mistake, I don't care, but communicate and fight. They [Australia] come and they fight. When are we going to fix that? The team is dead. You need to talk!"
Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter recalled the impact of this speech, saying, "We're American. We don't take s***." He attributed Pochettino's effectiveness to his ability to instill a strong American mindset, despite being Argentinian.
Reports indicate that Carrick is nearing the end of his tenure, having overseen a difficult start to the season with the club in 18th place. While a final decision is pending, it is understood that the club's hierarchy prefers to inform Carrick of their decision in person, potentially delaying official confirmation until Thursday.
Pochettino's contract with the USA reportedly includes a £7 million release clause, though the final cost could be higher due to potential buyouts for his backroom staff. Another clause in his agreement may also permit his departure for certain high-profile managerial positions, such as the one at Manchester United.