Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly ready to take charge of Manchester United, with the Argentine manager emerging as the leading candidate to replace Michael Carrick at Old Trafford amid growing uncertainty over the Englishman’s future.
The former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea manager is understood to be interested in returning to the Premier League, with reports indicating that he has reached a verbal agreement in principle with United over a potential move, should the club decide to part ways with Carrick.
Pochettino, who currently manages the United States men’s national team, is said to view the Manchester United opportunity as an attractive next step in his managerial career. The 54-year-old is reportedly prepared to leave his international position to take over the struggling Premier League giants if the proposed appointment progresses.
However, the development is expected to involve discussions with the United States Soccer Federation, considering Pochettino recently signed a contract extension that keeps him in charge of the national team until the 2030 World Cup.
According to reports, his contract contains a release clause worth approximately $10m (£7.5m), which Manchester United would have to activate to secure his services. Additional compensation could also be required if he decides to bring members of his coaching staff to Old Trafford.
The situation has gathered momentum following reports that United have advanced their discussions with Pochettino and made contact with the American football authorities over the possibility of releasing the Argentine from his contractual obligations.
Pochettino is also reportedly keen to handle the situation respectfully, preferring the necessary formal communication with the federation before making a final departure from his international assignment.
His potential arrival comes at a particularly difficult period for Manchester United, who have endured a disappointing start to the campaign under Carrick.
The former United midfielder was initially appointed as interim manager before earning a permanent position following an encouraging end to the previous season. However, his fortunes have changed dramatically, with the club struggling to reproduce the performances that convinced the hierarchy to hand him the job.
United have slipped into the Premier League relegation zone after collecting just one victory from their opening 10 league matches. Their disappointing run has also included an early Carabao Cup exit against Brighton, further increasing pressure on the coaching staff.
The club’s leadership is now understood to be considering a managerial change, with chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox reportedly expected to recommend Carrick’s dismissal to minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Pochettino’s experience in English football is believed to be one of the major attractions behind United’s interest. He previously established himself as one of the Premier League’s most respected managers during his time at Southampton and Tottenham, guiding the north London club to the 2019 Champions League final.
Although his subsequent spells at Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea produced mixed results, his reputation for developing young players, implementing aggressive pressing football and building competitive teams remains an important part of his managerial profile.
Interestingly, this is not the first time Manchester United have considered appointing the Argentine. He has previously been linked with the Old Trafford position on several occasions, including during the managerial transitions involving José Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag.
Meanwhile, the timing of a possible departure presents another complication for the United States national team. Pochettino is expected to remain involved in the Americans’ upcoming Concacaf Nations League quarter-final fixtures against Haiti while discussions surrounding his future continue.
For Manchester United, the immediate priority remains resolving Carrick’s position before making any official announcement regarding a successor.
If the proposed agreement is completed, Pochettino could finally get the opportunity to manage one of English football’s biggest clubs after years of being associated with the position.
However, until United confirm Carrick’s departure and complete the necessary arrangements with the United States Soccer Federation, Pochettino’s appointment remains conditional rather than official.
