According to a report by Football Transfer on Monday November 9, 2026, the future of Michael Carrick at Old Trafford is becoming increasingly uncertain, and as a result, Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as a leading contender in Manchester United's search for a possible manager replacement.

Thanks to his encouraging comebacks against Aston Villa and Roma, Carrick has temporarily solidified his position. There is still a lot of pressure on the former midfielder from United's poor Premier League season.

The Red Devils are currently in the midst of the relegation zone, having won just one of their first ten league matches. Their misfortune has heightened public anxiety regarding the club's future and leadership.

After October's disheartening 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth, Carrick's position came under intense scrutiny. Despite overcoming that obstacle, his confidence has not been fully restored by United's subsequent performances.

Julian Nagelsmann, a former Germany coach, and Eddie Howe, a former Newcastle manager, were once considered front-runners to succeed Carrick. But now we're talking about another seasoned manager.

Bookmakers have recently reduced Pochettino's managerial appointment odds significantly, making him joint favorite with Howe to lead Manchester United.

Thanks to his stellar play for Tottenham, the Argentine is still widely considered a legend in English football. He coached the London club for five years, during which time they finished second in the Premier League and advanced to the Champions League final in 2019.

His subsequent less-than-stellar performances for PSG and Chelsea cast doubt on his capacity to handle the high-pressure environments of Europe's most prestigious locker rooms.

In 2024, Pochettino assumed the role of manager for the US national team. Under his direction, the United States advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals in 2026, but they were knocked out by a resounding 4-1 score by Belgium.

Manchester United faces an even more formidable obstacle in the form of the 54-year-old's newly-signed contract extension, which extends until the 2030 World Cup.

Despite this, rumors about Pochettino's future at Old Trafford have returned. He is a tempting option due to his Premier League background, but his international commitment is a major roadblock.

United need to think carefully about what to do next because Carrick's future is in jeopardy unless the team starts winning more games.