Man United sack Michael Carrick with USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino lined up as replacement
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Man United sack Michael Carrick with USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino lined up as replacement originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Manchester United are closing in on their latest managerial change after a dreadful start to the Premier League season that leaves the 20-time English champions in the relegation zone.
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Michael Carrick oversaw a rapid upturn in fortunes when he replaced Ruben Amorim midway through the 2025/26 campaign, leading a United side without the burden of European or domestic knockout cup football to a third-place finish.
That resurgence has fallen apart dramatically this term, with a solitary win over Ipswich Town in 10 Premier League matches, a Carabao Cup exit against Brighton and damaging Champions League defeats to Atletico Madrid and Como amounting to a grim body of work.
Now the deeply unpopular triumvirate of co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox appeared to have settled upon Carrick's successor.
MORE:Can Man United afford Mauricio Pochettino?
Have Man United sacked Michael Carrick? Latest news
On Thursday, November 12, Manchester United informed Michael Carrick of his sacking. He took training at the club's Carrington training base yesterday with those players who have not been called up for international duty.
The Athletic, among others, reported that Berrarda and Wilcox flew to Monaco for meetings with Ratcliffe to discuss Carrick's future on Tuesday where a decision was made to cut ties.
An official statement from the club read: "Manchester United can confirm that Michael Carrick has departed his role as men’s first-team head coach.
"Michael rejoined the club in January and guided the team to a third-placed Premier League finish by winning 12 out of the remaining 17 games of the 2025/26 season, accumulating the highest points tally in the league during that period.
"After a disappointing start to the season, the club has come to the extremely difficult conclusion that a change is necessary in order to achieve our ambitions.
"Michael is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend. Just as he did as a player, he has conducted himself with the highest standards of dedication and professionalism throughout his time back with the club. His leadership and achievements last season will always be fondly remembered.
"The club intends to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible."
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MORE:Four other candidates Man United could hire instead of Pochettino
Is Mauricio Pochettino leaving USMNT for Man United job?
USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino has now emerged as the clear frontrunner to take charge of United. U.S. Soccer would be entitled to compensation in the region of $10m for the former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain coach, who signed an extended contract through to the 2030 World Cup after leading the USA to the Round of 16 on home soil this summer.
According to The Athletic's David Ornstein, United spent Tuesday finalising personal terms with Pochettino's representatives and agreed personal terms. They've since opened discussions with U.S. soccer over compensation.
Further compensation would be required to bring Pochettino's staff, including his long-time assistant Jesus Perez, to Manchester.
The negotiations taking place during the international break potentially add another layer of complication, with the USMNT set to play two games against Haiti on November 14 and 18. Reports suggest United will allow Pochettino to take charge of both matches before moving to Manchester. He is due to address the media at a press conference on Friday before the first of those matches.
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Man United's next match for new manager
It seems United have once again decided the international break is an opportune time to appoint a new head coach, as was the case when they installed Ruben Amorim in November 2024.
European club football takes a hiatus during international games, something that was admittedly more relevant to then Sporting CP boss Amorim than it is to USMNT manager Pochettino.
Regardless of who is in charge, United's next match is a daunting trip to face bitter rivals Liverpool at Anfield on November 22.
There's then a flight to Lisbon to face Sporting in the Champions League three days later before Brentford visit Old Trafford on November 28 for what now looks likely to be Pochettino's first home game in charge of United.