Manchester United near deal to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as Carrick’s future is discussed in Monaco

Manchester United are closing in on terms to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as head coach if Michael Carrick is dismissed, following talks in Monaco on 11 November 2026 involving director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada. The discussions come as the club considers a change of head coach.

Pochettino is the United target while serving as head coach of the US men’s national team and is reported to want the Old Trafford role. He is due to take charge of the US in Concacaf Nations League matches against Haiti on Saturday and Wednesday in Miami and Cincinnati respectively, which are described as their first competitive fixtures of the 2030 World Cup qualifying cycle. Pochettino has previously managed in the Premier League with Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea. His contract with the US set-up contains a release clause of about $10m (£7.5m) and compensation due from United would rise if he brings across his own staff, including his longtime assistant Jesús Pérez, who has worked with him for 16 years.

Wilcox and Berrada have recommended to Sir Jim Ratcliffe that Carrick should be sacked, and they are meeting Ratcliffe in Monaco to inform him of that view. The report states Ratcliffe controls Manchester United’s sporting policy.

There is a growing sense among United players that Carrick will be removed and an expectation within the squad that Pochettino would replace him should that happen. Insiders cited in the report say the mood inside Carrick’s camp and within the executive aligns with the belief that the change will proceed.

On the field, Carrick’s tenure has coincided with a poor start to the season: United sit 18th and in the relegation zone, the 45-year-old has won only one league game, against Ipswich in August, and three matches in all competitions. The club were also knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Brighton in September.

A United board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at which one or more of the six Glazer siblings who are the majority owners will be represented; those close to the executive and to Carrick expect the proposed sacking to be ratified there and for an announcement to follow.