Carrick on Brink as Man Utd Eye Pochettino Ahead of Monaco Summit

Michael Carrick's position as Manchester United head coach hangs by a thread. The club slipped to 18th in the Premier League following a chaotic 4-4 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday, leaving United in the relegation zone and confronting their worst start to a domestic campaign in 40 years.

The dramatic stalemate against Villa proved the breaking point for Old Trafford executives. United now face a sporting crisis, with the risk of relegation looming over a squad enduring the club's bleakest opening to a season in four decades.

United's hierarchy has moved quickly. Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox departed on Monday, flying to Monaco for talks with minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to determine Carrick's fate.

League Position

18th

Campaign Record

Worst start in 40 years

Aston Villa Result

4-4 draw

Previous Reprieve

3 matches

Monaco Summit: Berrada and Wilcox Prepare Sacking Recommendation

The Wednesday meeting in Monaco brings together Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is based in the principality, with Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox. The gathering was pre-planned on the corporate calendar rather than convened strictly to discuss Carrick's future, but United's slump has forced managerial change to the top of the agenda.

BBC Sport reported on Monday that there is a growing expectation Berrada and Wilcox will recommend to Ratcliffe and the Glazer family that Carrick be sacked. The executives plan to advocate for dismissing the head coach and appointing a successor.

Ratcliffe remains fully supportive of Berrada and Wilcox as they present their findings. However, the Glazer family will also be consulted before a final decision is ratified, meaning an official announcement on Carrick's future may not arrive until Thursday.

Should the decision to sack Carrick be finalized in Monaco, United's leadership wants to inform him face to face. The club is committed to delivering the news in person rather than communicating a dismissal from afar.

Carrick staying has not yet been ruled out entirely. Wednesday's discussions will also assess broader options, which could include whether to bolster his coaching team rather than enacting an outright dismissal.

Limbo at Carrington: Wilcox Review and the Bournemouth Reprieve

While executives traveled to Monaco, Carrick arrived at Carrington on Tuesday morning. Despite widespread reports on Monday night claiming a decision had already been made to sack him, Carrick oversaw first-team training with a group depleted by international commitments.

Carrick understands that United's form has made discussions over his future inevitable. He led Tuesday's session as director of football Jason Wilcox conducted a full review of the team's performances so far this season, the findings of which will be presented in Monaco.

The current crisis follows an earlier reprieve granted to Carrick a fortnight ago. After a 3-0 home defeat against Bournemouth, United bosses chose to back the manager, keen to give him a further three matches to turn the team's fortunes around.

The chaotic 4-4 draw against Aston Villa on Sunday served as the final match of that three-game window. Rather than restoring order, the draw left United 18th, prompting Wilcox and Berrada to conclude their review with a recommendation for change.

Despite sitting in the relegation zone, United's hierarchy remarkably still believes a top five finish remains achievable. That ambition has heightened the urgency among senior figures to halt the decline immediately.

Mauricio Pochettino Emerges as the Primary Target

Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as the frontrunner for the Old Trafford job should Carrick depart. Multiple sources told the Guardian that the United States men's national team head coach is interested in moving to Manchester United, with those sources describing the interest as mutual.

Sky Sports News similarly reported that the former Tottenham manager and former Argentina defender would be open to discussions if approached by United. BBC Sport also confirmed via multiple sources that Pochettino is open to a move to Old Trafford.

United's pursuit builds on previous contact. In the past, the club has held discussions with Pochettino on at least two occasions regarding the manager's role, giving senior figures insight into his methods.

Securing Pochettino's services requires negotiating a significant buyout, though reports differ on the exact figure. Sky Sports reports that the cost of buying Pochettino out of his USA contract is around £7m.

The Guardian, citing sources familiar with the deal following details first reported by The Athletic, states the release clause is in the neighborhood of $10m (£7.5m). That cost would rise further should United choose to retain Pochettino's staff, including longtime assistant and confidant Jesús Pérez, who has worked alongside him for 16 years.

Buyout Cost (Sky Sports)

Around £7m

Buyout Cost (Guardian/Athletic)

Around $10m (£7.5m)

Jesús Pérez Partnership

16 years

Previous Man Utd Talks

At least 2 occasions

The American Dilemma: World Cup Fallout and a 2030 Contract

Pochettino was appointed USMNT head coach in 2024. He guided the team to a last-16 finish at the 2026 World Cup, an outcome widely judged by most accounts to be a disappointment.

Despite that exit, US Soccer signed Pochettino to a contract extension in August, committing him through 2030. Both parties expressed mutual belief and commitment toward improving senior team fortunes and overhauling the federation's approach to youth development.

When extending his contract, Pochettino spoke forcefully about honoring long-term agreements, comments that now contrast with his reported willingness to move to Old Trafford.

Pochettino is actively preparing the US squad to face Haiti in the Nations League quarter-finals, meaning any negotiations with United unfold while competitive international fixtures remain pending.

Alternative Candidates: Howe, Nagelsmann, and Conte Monitored

While Pochettino is the frontrunner, Manchester United have explored other options. BBC Sport reported in October that United had sounded out former Newcastle manager Eddie Howe and ex-Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann regarding replacing Carrick.

Former Chelsea coach Antonio Conte is also known to be keen on the role. The Evening Standard reports that Howe, Nagelsmann, and Conte are all thought to be interested in taking over if Carrick departs.

For now, Carrick remains in limbo as Wilcox and Berrada meet Ratcliffe in Monaco on Wednesday. With the Glazer family awaiting the recommendation and an announcement possible by Thursday, Manchester United stand on the brink of decisive managerial change.