Jamie Carragher's previous advice to Mauricio Pochettino has resurfaced amid growing uncertainty over Michael Carrick's Manchester United future

Manchester United appears to be gearing up to enter the managerial market once again, and former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has already given a clear verdict on the job for one of the top candidates.

When the Reds take on their bitter rivals at Anfield in a couple of weeks, there could be a new face in the dugout. Despite guiding United to a third-place finish as interim manager last season, Michael Carrick's job is now hanging by a thread.

United has won just one of its 10 Premier League games so far this term. Of the remaining nine, the Red Devils have drawn five and suffered four defeats.

United is currently in the relegation places, tied on eight points with Sunderland and just a point clear of Crystal Palace at the bottom of the table. It's clear the Red Devils face a possible relegation scrap this season if major improvements are not made over the coming weeks.

Over the weekend, United appeared to be heading toward defeat as it twice fell two goals behind Aston Villa, once in each half. On both occasions, the Red Devils were able to claw their way back onto level terms, but that last-gasp point is seemingly not enough to keep Carrick in a job.

Widespread reports on Monday evening from numerous outlets claimed United is leaning toward making a change during the international break. Since then, former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as one of the key names on the club's shortlist.

According to ESPN, the 54-year-old, who is currently in charge of the United States Men's National Team, would be open to the prospect of returning to English football with United. Although he only recently signed a four-year contract extension, his $10 million release clause makes him attainable.

Interestingly, this is not the first time Pochettino has been linked with a switch to Old Trafford. He was rumored to be of interest to United all the way back in 2021 when he was still in charge of Paris Saint-Germain, and Carragher urged him at the time to make the switch.

“Pochettino has to get out of the club," the pundit told CBS Sports at the time, referencing the manager's struggles with star players at PSG. "If he has the chance to go to Manchester United, I would be gone tomorrow and it’s because of those 3 stars."

At the time, United had just parted ways with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and Carrick was in his first stint as caretaker manager. Instead of appointing a permanent manager that season, United brought in Ralf Rangnick on an interim basis until Erik ten Hag was appointed in the summer.

Liverpool, of course, will be watching with interest as its first test after the international break is the visit of United to Anfield. In this fixture last season, Liverpool was narrowly beaten by Ruben Amorim's side, so the Reds will be determined to put that right at the end of this month.