Manchester United open talks with Mauricio Pochettino to replace Michael Carrick

BBC News reported that Manchester United have opened talks with Mauricio Pochettino about replacing head coach Michael Carrick, who is expected to lose his job this week. The Daily Mail also reported that Pochettino leads the race to take over the role. Manchester United have previously spoken with the former Argentina defender about their managerial vacancy on three occasions, including after Jose Mourinho was sacked in 2018 and prior to appointing Erik ten Hag in 2022. [1][7]

BBC News and BBC Sport both reported that Carrick's future at the club will be decided at a meeting in Monaco on Wednesday. BBC News and BBC Sport confirmed that the meeting will be attended by chief executive Omar Berrada, director of football Jason Wilcox, and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. BBC Sport reported that Berrada and Wilcox retain the support of minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. [1][4][6]

Pochettino is an Argentine professional football manager and former central defender who serves as the head coach of the United States men's national team. He previously managed Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea in the Premier League. As a player, he spent the majority of his career at RCD Espanyol, while also playing for Paris Saint-Germain and Girondins de Bordeaux. [1][13][15]

Pressure has been mounting on the current management team. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Carrick previously delivered an emotional press conference statement following a 4-1 loss to Como in the Champions League, where he refused to confirm if captain Bruno Fernandes would be dropped. [17]