“As a soccer player, we’re pretty used to sort of fast training environments and games…so we’re all very good at just focusing on the next task and about the next session or the next game coming up,” said Antonee Robinson.
Manchester United are finalising an agreement to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as their new head coach once Michael Carrick is dismissed, with executive leadership recommending the change after a disastrous start to the season. Through 10 fixtures of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign, Manchester United occupies 18th position in the standings with eight points collected.
Discussions regarding personal terms have been initiated by the Red Devils with US national team boss Pochettino, and United have opened talks with the Argentine regarding a potential successor to Michael Carrick, who is anticipated to be removed from his post.
Executive Meetings in Monaco and Relegation Zone Struggles
United’s chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox travelled to Monaco to meet co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, with their recommendation expected to result in Carrick losing his job, according to reporting by BBC Sport. The recruitment process is anticipated to be spearheaded by Wilcox, with multiple potential managers already evaluated, such as Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann, Antonio Conte, Unai Emery, and Cesc Fabregas. Although his exit has not yet been finalized and he was present at Carrington for Wednesday’s training session, a verdict on Carrick’s tenure has already been reached.
Carrick has won only one league match this term, leaving the club sitting 18th in the Premier League table inside the relegation zone. United have failed to win 12 of their 15 matches across all competitions, leading powerbrokers to act following a 4-4 draw with Aston Villa, as talkSPORT detailed.
United were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Brighton in September. The United States will play Haiti on Nov. 14 and Nov. 17 in the Nations League quarterfinals, following an unblemished beginning to the new World Cup cycle featuring four straight victories.
Personal Terms and Compensation Clauses
United spent Tuesday discussing personal terms with Pochettino’s representatives. The club have not yet made an official approach to U.S. Soccer, and Pochettino’s contract contains a release clause of $10 million or £7.5m, alongside required compensation for his backroom staff such as longtime assistant Jesús Pérez, as reported by the Guardian. Pochettino was signaled as the first option for United after the dismissal of Jose Mourinho in December 2018, but ultimately Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over the role.
In the spring of 2022, the former Tottenham manager competed directly with Ten Hag for the position and the Dutchman ended up being considered the best option for a long-term rebuild. His previous work taking Tottenham to a Champions League final, alongside his stints at Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, makes him a strong candidate compared to the rest of the shortlist.
Under his guidance, Tottenham reached the Champions League final in 2019. Throughout his tenure at the helm of PSG, he secured three pieces of silverware: the 2021/22 Ligue 1 championship, the 2020/21 Coupe de France, and the 2020 Trophée des Champions.
Pochettino Leads USMNT Camp Amid Transfer Links
Pochettino remains in charge of the United States national team for an upcoming Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal series against Haiti, though players insist the links to Old Trafford have not caused a distraction. “For me personally, I don’t really look at it,” Robinson told ESPN. Following his leadership of the team to the World Cup round of 16, he earned a new four-year contract through 2030.
Up-and-coming midfielder Cavan Sullivan praised the manager’s impact, noting that “he’s taken me under my wing in the most tremendous way possible.” “I was obviously a young guy coming in, and he told me to just play free and be myself, and have confidence in my ability,” the 17-year-old Philadelphia Union midfielder said. “That didn’t mean I was off the hook or the standard was lower for me.”
Earlier coverage: Mauricio Pochettino Favourite to Replace Michael Carrick as Man Utd Manager
