Man Utd close in on deal for Mauricio Pochettino after sacking Michael Carrick
The former Red Devils midfielder was dismissed on Thursday morning after United’s worst start to a season since 1986.
Manchester United are working to finalise a deal to appoint United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino after sacking Michael Carrick.
The former Red Devils midfielder was dismissed on Thursday morning as confirmation finally arrived of what had been an open secret since the start of the week.
Carrick led United to third place last season, having stepped in following Ruben Amorim’s acrimonious January exit, but the head coach paid the price for overseeing the club’s worst start to a campaign since 1986.
Sunday’s wild 4-4 draw with Aston Villa leaves them in the relegation zone and the 18th-placed side are now working to wrap up a deal to bring Pochettino back to the Premier League.
A framework had already been established for the former Argentina international’s appointment, with talks understood to be progressing between the Old Trafford club and Pochettino’s employers US Soccer.
Pochettino has a release clause – worth a reported 10million US dollars (£7.4m) – and the relevant parties are seeking to provide clarity before the USA’s Nations League quarter-final first leg against Haiti on Saturday.
The ex-Tottenham, Paris St Germain and Chelsea boss is due to face the media at a press conference nominally previewing that game in Miami on Friday at 2.15pm UK time.
Pochettino is expected to oversee the first leg in Miami and next Tuesday’s second leg in in Cincinnati, Ohio, with United returning to action a week on Sunday at rivals Liverpool.
Pochettino has spoken to United about the job on several occasions down the years, including in 2022 when the club instead turned to Erik ten Hag.
The Argentinian’s appointment may prove inspired, but the way Carrick’s exit has been handled has caused anger externally and within some parts of the club given his years of sterling service to United.
A statement issued by United’s communications department said the club had come to the “extremely difficult conclusion” that a change was needed.
“Michael is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend,” the statement continued.
“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.”
Carrick made 464 appearances during a medal-laden time as a United player and becomes the seventh manager to be dismissed by the club since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
The former England midfielder oversaw just three wins from 15 matches in all competitions this season, with only one of those victories coming in the league.
The fans are putting unrelenting pressure on the club’s ownership and decision-makers, with calls for the Glazers and Ratcliffe to sell up going up a notch during last week’s Old Trafford games against Roma and Villa and a statement from the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) placing the blame for the club’s problems squarely on the owners.
Director of football Jason Wilcox has been roundly criticised for his role in the club’s decline and was the subject of a stinging public attack by defender Lisandro Martinez.
Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada took stock of the situation at the start of the November international break, just a fortnight on from deciding to give Carrick the chance to turn things around following the 4-1 Champions League loss at Como and 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth.