Man Utd finalising Pochettino deal with Carrick set to be sacked

Manchester United are set to sack Michael Carrick and are finalising a deal to make Mauricio Pochettino their new manager, according to reports.

Fabrizio Romano said just before 10am on Wednesday that United were “now set for final internal meeting to proceed with the expected plan: Michael Carrick to be sacked”. He added that the club were working through Pochettino’s $10m release clause and contract terms with his camp.

It follows a report from The Athletic’s David Ornstein, who posted on X earlier in the morning: “Manchester United finalising deal to appoint Mauricio Pochettino if ultimate decision made to replace Michael Carrick. 54yo lined up & terms being done with camp.”

Ornstein added that United had not yet contacted US Soccer, but that the process should be “straight-forward should plan proceed”. Romano says Pochettino “wants the job” and is “the clear favorite”, and Sky Sports also reports that United are close to agreeing a Pochettino Man Utd deal.

It would be third time lucky for the Argentine. United turned to other managers in 2018 and again in 2022. This time the owners are said to be determined not to let him slip away.

Why the Glazers want Pochettino

The i Paper, in a report picked up by the Manchester Evening News and The Standard, says Pochettino is the top choice of the Glazer family. The majority shareholders believe the club cannot afford to miss out on him again.

Twice before, United went another way. In 2018 they chose Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and in 2022 they appointed Erik ten Hag. Neither worked out, and many fans will feel the club got it wrong both times.

There is a business link too. The report says the Glazers have close ties with hedge fund owner Ken Griffin, who helped fund Pochettino’s new contract with the US national team. According to the Manchester Evening News, that deal includes a $10million (£7.5m) release clause.

United had already made contact with Pochettino’s camp earlier this week.

The Monaco meeting that decides Carrick’s fate

Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox flew out to meet co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco today, and both are expected to recommend that Carrick is sacked. The Telegraph reports that the pair still have Ratcliffe’s trust. Our explainer covers who decides in the Monaco meeting and how the vote works.

The numbers are brutal. United have won just one of their opening 10 league games and are in the relegation zone. Sunday’s wild 4-4 draw with Aston Villa, rescued by Patrick Dorgu’s late header, was not enough to lift them out of the bottom three.

Carrick, meanwhile, is still working. He took a depleted training session at Carrington on Tuesday and was back to lead training again this morning. Romano says there has been “no formal communication from the club on his future yet”.

The timing is not settled. The Standard had suggested a final decision might not come until Thursday. BBC Sport also floated another option, strengthening Carrick’s coaching staff instead, with Bayern Munich assistant Aaron Danks linked.

What it means for the USA

Pochettino signed an extension with the USA in August that runs to the 2030 World Cup. He is preparing for a Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against Haiti this weekend, and is due to face the media before the game.

His players are trying to block out the noise. Full-back Antonee Robinson said: “For us to have a manager who’s linked with those sorts of jobs means we’re very lucky. We know that we’re working with a top-class manager.”

Conte, Mourinho and the rest

One big name looks out of the running. Romano says United are “scared” of Antonio Conte. “He just goes and says the reality; he’s a serial winner but brutal,” he said on his YouTube channel.

Wayne Rooney has his own idea. On Stick to Football, he said Jose Mourinho is “probably exactly what Man United need now”, and Eddie Howe has also been mentioned. But with terms being worked out, all eyes are on Monaco, and on whether the Glazers finally get their man. Follow the rest of the day’s Manchester United news as it happens.

Pochettino Man Utd deal: FAQs

Has Michael Carrick been sacked?
Not yet. Fabrizio Romano says United are set to sack him after a final internal meeting on Wednesday, but the club has not made an announcement.

How much is Pochettino’s release clause?
His USA contract includes a $10million (£7.5m) release clause, according to the Manchester Evening News.

When did Man Utd previously turn down Pochettino?
In 2018, when they appointed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and in 2022, when they appointed Erik ten Hag.