Manchester United pursuing Mauricio Pochettino to replace Michael Carrick, reports say

Manchester United have held talks with, or are working on a potential deal for, US men's national team coach Mauricio Pochettino, according to BBC Sport, The Guardian and AP. The aim would be to replace head coach Michael Carrick, 45. BBC Sport, The Guardian and ESPN report that Carrick is expected to be dismissed. The same outlets report that Pochettino wants the job or is open to taking it.

United are in the Premier League relegation zone. They have won one league game this season, in August.

Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are meeting Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco to discuss Carrick's future, according to BBC Sport and The Guardian. Both outlets report that the executives' recommendation is that Carrick should go.

Terms and contract

The Guardian describes a "framework agreement" that would take effect if Carrick is sacked. A BBC Sport analysis says one source described the terms as "more or less agreed". An AP headline cites a source as saying United are carrying out "due diligence".

Pochettino signed his current US contract in August. ESPN and The Guardian say it runs to 2030. United would need to pay about $10m (£7.5m) to release him, according to BBC Sport and The Guardian. The Guardian reports that compensation would be higher if he brings his own staff, including longtime assistant Jesús Pérez.

According to BBC Sport, Pochettino intends to wait for a formal approach from United to the US Soccer Federation. He is expected to accept if formally offered the job. BBC Sport also reports that US Soccer officials expect an approach and have a succession plan.

The Guardian reports that a United board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, where the sacking is expected to be ratified. BBC Sport reports Carrick is expected to be relieved of his duties within 48 hours.

Pochettino has managed Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea in the Premier League. BBC Sport reports United discussed the role with him in 2018, 2022 and 2024.

The US team

The US team faces Haiti in a two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarter-final. The Guardian reports the matches are on Saturday in Miami and Wednesday in Cincinnati. According to BBC Sport, Pochettino may not take charge of those games.

What is disputed

• The day US Soccer cancelled player media access: Thursday, according to BBC Sport; Wednesday, according to The Guardian.
• Match timing: a BBC Sport analysis refers to a Tuesday night match finishing in the early hours of Wednesday, without naming the fixture; The Guardian lists the Cincinnati match as Wednesday. The difference may reflect time zones rather than a genuine discrepancy.

What each side says

• US Soccer cited Veterans Day as the reason for cancelling player media access, according to BBC Sport and The Guardian. BBC Sport notes some reports, which it does not identify, claimed the aim was to avoid questions about the coach.
• US defender Antonee Robinson said players are not distracted by the rumours, according to ESPN.

Apart from US Soccer's stated reason for cancelling player media access, the reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include any on-record statement from Manchester United, US Soccer, Pochettino or his representatives about the coaching situation. They do not describe a formal offer or a formal approach to US Soccer.

Analysis

If the reports are accurate, the decision rests on two steps: the board confirming Carrick's dismissal and United making a formal approach to US Soccer. Either could change the timeline. For United, a quick appointment could give a new coach time to prepare before the 22 November match at Anfield, according to BBC Sport's fixture details. For US Soccer, a departure during the Haiti quarter-final would test its reported succession plan at the start of a new qualifying cycle. Without on-record statements from the parties on the coaching situation, the outcome remains uncertain. Readers may wish to treat timelines as provisional.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.

Transparency note: objections from our AI reviewers

Objections raised before publication:

• Tribunal: Loaded term: "claimed"
• Vocemundi automatic checks: Tribunal: needs correction

No reviewer declined to review it.

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