Manchester United Open Pochettino Talks as Carrick Decision Looms. Manchester United have opened discussions with United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino about a potential move to Old Trafford, according to BBC Sport, while Michael Carrick remains in charge pending a decision by the club’s hierarchy. The distinction matters: talks are being reported, but neither Carrick’s dismissal nor Pochettino’s appointment has been officially announced.
What has changed on 11 November?
BBC Sport reported on Wednesday that discussions with Pochettino are under way as United consider replacing Carrick. The Guardian separately reported that United are moving towards an agreement with the former Tottenham and Chelsea manager, conditional on Carrick leaving. This is a more concrete development than the earlier speculation about possible successors, but it is still not a completed appointment.
United’s chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are expected to discuss Carrick’s future with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco. Reports suggest senior football officials favour a change. That recommendation, however, should not be confused with a formal decision or a club statement. Carrick remains the manager unless and until United say otherwise.
Why Carrick is under pressure
United’s difficult start to the Premier League campaign has left the club in the relegation zone, making the decision unusually urgent. A dramatic 4-4 draw with Aston Villa did not settle questions about performances, defensive vulnerability or results. The club now faces a decision about whether continuity can produce an improvement or whether a change during the international break offers a better chance of recovery.
Carrick’s previous spell in temporary charge earned him considerable goodwill and helped establish the case for his permanent appointment. The current debate is not simply about one result: it concerns the trajectory of the season, the ability to build a coherent side and how much time the hierarchy believes is available before league position becomes an even more serious problem.
Why Pochettino is a credible candidate
Pochettino has substantial Premier League experience, having managed Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea. His work with developing players, demanding pressing structures and squad organisation makes him an understandable candidate for a club seeking a reset. United have considered him before, according to BBC Sport, so the renewed interest is not entirely unexpected.
There are significant complications. Pochettino is currently responsible for the United States men’s national team and has international commitments this month. His contractual position and any compensation for releasing him and members of his staff would need to be addressed. A reported release clause is not evidence that a deal has been executed, and there is no confirmed start date.
What this means for the USA and United
The timing creates uncertainty for the US national side as it prepares for competitive fixtures. Players and staff need clarity over who will lead the programme, while United would need to manage the transition, staffing and preparation for their next league match. If negotiations progress, both organisations may have practical decisions to make quickly.
For United supporters, the immediate questions are straightforward: will the club formally end Carrick’s tenure, will an agreement with Pochettino follow, and who will lead training and the next fixture? Until those answers arrive, reports of negotiations should not be described as an appointment. There is also no basis for treating other names linked in the media as confirmed alternatives.
What happens next
Attention now turns to the club’s leadership discussions and any statements from Manchester United, US Soccer or Pochettino himself. A formal announcement would establish whether the talks have produced an agreement, the timetable for any change and the status of Carrick’s position. In the meantime, the latest reporting represents a significant development in the managerial search, not its conclusion.
This article distinguishes the confirmed existence of published reports from an officially confirmed managerial change. Readers should watch for direct communications from the clubs and governing bodies rather than assuming that a widely reported negotiation is a completed deal.
Sources
BBC Sport, 11 November 2026: Pochettino talks; The Guardian, 11 November 2026: United approach and Carrick decision.