United Move Toward Pochettino as Carrick Faces Exit

Manchester United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, and chief executive, Omar Berrada, are expected to recommend to minority owner Jim Ratcliffe that Michael Carrick be dismissed. The three are meeting in Monaco, where Ratcliffe controls the club’s sporting policy.

The club is nearing an agreement with Mauricio Pochettino to take over if Carrick is removed. Pochettino currently coaches the United States men’s national team and wants the United job. He has previously managed Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea in the Premier League.

United players increasingly expect Carrick to lose his position and Pochettino to replace him. Carrick’s team is 18th in the league, in the relegation zone. He has won one league match, against Ipswich in August, and three games across all competitions. United were eliminated from the Carabao Cup by Brighton in September.

Pochettino’s contract includes a release clause worth about $10 million, or £7.5 million. Compensation could be higher if he brings members of his staff, including longtime assistant Jesús Pérez, who has worked with him for 16 years.

Pochettino is due to lead the United States against Haiti in Concacaf Nations League matches on November 14 in Miami and November 18 in Cincinnati. The games will be the squad’s opening official contests in the qualification campaign for the 2030 World Cup.