Mauricio Pochettino is prepared to become Manchester United’s next head coach if the club formally offers him the position, as Michael Carrick faces the prospect of being sacked.
United have opened talks with the Argentine over a possible appointment, with Carrick expected to leave his position within the next 48 hours.
Sources have told BBC Sport that Pochettino wants to take charge at Old Trafford once Carrick’s future is settled. However, the 54-year-old intends to respect his existing commitments to the United States Soccer Federation and is waiting for an official approach from United.
The Premier League club would have to pay $10m (£7.5m) to release Pochettino from his contract with the US national team, which he signed in August.
The United States are scheduled to face Haiti in a two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarter-final over the next week.
Pochettino’s potential departure during the international camp could create complications, particularly if he leaves before the fixtures are completed.
Despite the timing concerns, the former Tottenham and Chelsea manager views the opportunity to lead Manchester United as a significant career move and is expected to accept if a formal offer arrives.
United have previously considered Pochettino for their managerial position on three occasions.
The first was in 2018, following Jose Mourinho’s dismissal. The club also considered him in 2022 before appointing Erik ten Hag and again in 2024 after the Dutchman’s departure.
Meanwhile, Carrick’s future will be discussed at a meeting in Monaco on Wednesday, involving United chief executive Omar Berrada, director of football Jason Wilcox and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Berrada and Wilcox have travelled to Monaco for one of their regular meetings to discuss the club’s football strategy. However, Carrick’s position and the direction of the managerial search are expected to dominate discussions.
The two executives are expected to recommend that Carrick be relieved of his duties.
Carrick, 45, was pictured arriving at the club’s Carrington training ground on Wednesday.
Manchester United currently sit 18th in the Premier League table, inside the relegation zone, after winning just one of their opening 10 matches and failing to secure a victory since August.
It is the club’s lowest position at this stage of a top-flight campaign since the 1986-87 season, when they were 20th.
Pochettino has considerable Premier League experience, having begun his managerial career in England with Southampton in January 2013.
He subsequently spent five years at Tottenham from 2014, guiding the club to the Champions League final.
The Argentine later managed Paris Saint-Germain between January 2021 and July 2022 before taking charge of Chelsea for the 2023-24 season.
He moved into international management in September 2024 when he was appointed United States head coach, leading the World Cup co-hosts to the last 16 of the 2026 tournament.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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