Michael Carrick’s long-term future at Old Trafford remains uncertain, even after a win and a draw in Manchester United’s last two games. Speculation is growing that he could lose the head coach job before the upcoming international break ends.
A number of well-known names have been linked with the role if United decide to move on from their former midfielder, including Antonio Conte, Julian Nagelsmann, Eddie Howe and Fabian Hurzeler. Lately, though, the spotlight has shifted to Mauricio Pochettino, the ex-Tottenham boss who now manages the United States men’s national team and is reportedly among the leading contenders.
A fresh talkSPORT report claims the Argentine would be keen on the United job if it became available. He is said to be open to a return to English football, which makes him an appealing option should the club change direction.
Pochettino’s Premier League record backs up the interest. In his single season at Chelsea, he led the Blues to sixth place, a League Cup final and an FA Cup semi-final before leaving by mutual consent. At Tottenham, he built his reputation as one of the division’s most respected coaches, delivering four straight top-four finishes, a League Cup final in 2015 and a Champions League final in 2019. That experience could make him a serious candidate if United go looking for a permanent manager.
Carrick, meanwhile, insists he has no plans to walk away. After United’s dramatic 4-4 draw with Aston Villa, which stretched their winless league run to eight matches, the interim head coach was asked whether he might step aside. He answered flatly that it would not happen.
He also said he was fully confident that he and his players could turn things around. In his post-match press conference, he argued the squad has plenty of quality, that goals change games and that the team must improve drastically in that area. He added that United are making life too hard for themselves at times.
Even so, his position remains unsettled, and Pochettino’s reported willingness to come back to the Premier League adds another twist to United’s managerial situation.
