United reportedly plan to sack Michael Carrick during the international break, with Mauricio Pochettino emerging as the leading replacement candidate.
Manchester United’s (4.20) hierarchy meets Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco on Wednesday to settle Michael Carrick’s future. Reports suggest the club has already started work on a successor, with Pochettino the favourite.
Why The Pressure Is Building
Carrick, 45, became permanent manager after a successful interim spell. He led United to third place last season. Now they sit 18th with eight points from 10 league matches. That is the club’s worst start to a league season in 40 years.
United have also conceded 30 goals in all competitions, the worst record in Europe’s top five leagues. Sunday’s 4-4 draw with Aston Villa exposed those flaws again. Zirkzee and Dorgu rescued the point, but the defence still leaked four goals.
The Athletic reports that United intend to dismiss Carrick before the trip to Liverpool (1.73) on 22 November. The Times says the board reluctantly believes a change is needed. However, Sky Sports says the club has taken no final decision.
The Monaco Meeting
Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox travelled to Monaco to meet Ratcliffe. They will present the findings of their season review. They will also give recommendations on Carrick’s future. Any decision may come on Thursday.
The Glazer family must also sign off. Meanwhile, Carrick’s public rift with captain Bruno Fernandes after the defeat at Como still lingers. The club also wants to avoid an interim appointment. Therefore, a quick decision makes sense.
Carrick, for his part, reported to Carrington on Tuesday and continued working. He has dismissed talk of walking away. He insists the club must win games and says his team must cut out mistakes.
Pochettino Leads The Shortlist
Pochettino, the United States coach, appears highest on the list. Sky Sports says he would be open to talks if United approach him. It puts the cost of buying him out of his contract at about £7m. The Times adds that his deal includes a release clause.
Ratcliffe has long admired the Argentine. United have also spoken to him at least twice in the past. Reports praise his leadership, his personality and his Premier League experience. The hierarchy believes he could raise standards and restore a clearer identity.
However, obstacles remain. Pochettino has enjoyed international management and recently extended his USA deal. He would also want assurances over control of football decisions. His team face Haiti on Saturday and again on 18 November.
Others remain in the frame. Eddie Howe left Newcastle in the summer and is available. Julian Nagelsmann is also out of work. Reports have mentioned Antonio Conte and Villa’s Unai Emery too, although Pochettino looks more attractive.
The Wider Problem
Sky Sports says three factors have delayed a decision. Supporters are not calling for Carrick’s sacking. The players still appear to fight for him. And the bosses doubt that a new manager alone would fix the problems.
That last point matters. Ratcliffe has already extended Erik ten Hag’s contract and then sacked him. He then appointed Ruben Amorim, who left after little more than a year. A third change would raise further questions about the club’s structure.
Sky’s Kaveh Solhekol argues that the ownership matters more than the manager. Many fans agree, as their protests show. Consequently, a new coach could paper over the cracks without solving them. Pochettino may suit United better than most, but he would inherit the same troubled structure.
