Michael Carrick has been pictured arriving at Carrington, potentially for the last time as Manchester United manager, before he is likely to be replaced by Mauricio Pochettino, though reports claim that some players want Unai Emery.

It was business as usual for the under-fire Carrick on Wednesday morning as he arrived at United’s AON Complex in order to take training with the players who are not currently away on international duty.

However, it is expected that the decision to sack Carrick will be made later today some 800 miles away in Monaco, where chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are travelling to hold a meeting with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who controls the sporting operation at the club.

It is understood that while no final decision has yet been made, Berrada and Wilcox are likely to recommend to Ratcliffe that a change is needed in an attempt to turn around United’s dismal run of form that has left them sitting in the Premier League relegation zone with one win from 10 games.

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick arrives at Carrington on Wednesday morning

PA

United’s majority owners the Glazers will also reportedly be part of that meeting, which is said to have been pre-planned and part of regular talks between the club hierarchy to discuss strategy. Ratcliffe has a home in Monaco, where his company INEOS also have offices.

It was widely reported on Wednesday morning that United were in the process of finalising a deal with Pochettino in the event that they part ways with Carrick, with personal terms close to being agreed.

Former Tottenham, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Southampton boss Pochettino is currently the head coach of the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) and only signed a new contract through the 2030 World Cup back in August, after leading the USA to the World Cup last 16 on home soil in the summer.

Mauricio Pochettino is likely to replace Carrick, but some Man Utd stars reportedly want Unai Emery

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However, there is a clause included in that deal that would allow United to release him from it early for a fee of $10million (£7.5m). The USA have a crucial two-legged CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final tie against Haiti coming up, with the first game in Miami on Saturday.

Ex-Newcastle manager Eddie Howe had also been thought to be a favoured candidate to replace Carrick after reportedly turning down an approach from Crystal Palace, along with former Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann.

Antonio Conte had also been linked with the post, along with Aston Villa’s Emery and Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler.

talkSPORT claim that United’s senior stars expect Carrick to be sacked and Pochettino to become their new manager, marking his first return to the Premier League since an ill-fated one-season spell at Chelsea in 2023/24.

However, the same report says that some United players were hoping for the appointment of Emery, who is set to sign a new long-term contract extension at Villa Park instead.