Manchester United are facing another potentially damaging period as their disastrous start to the 2026/27 season continues to put the club’s direction under scrutiny.

The Red Devils have struggled to find consistency under Michael Carrick, with defensive mistakes and dropped points becoming familiar features of their performances.

Their latest Premier League outing saw them produce a spirited comeback against Aston Villa, but an entertaining 4-4 draw was hardly enough to disguise their wider problems.

United have managed just one league victory in their opening 10 matches, leaving them 18th in the table with eight points.

Their eight-game winless run in the Premier League has also matched their worst such sequence in the competition’s history.

With the November international break presenting an opportunity for INEOS to reassess the situation, the search for a potential replacement is gathering momentum.

Mauricio Pochettino wants Manchester United job

According to The Sun, Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly open to taking over at Manchester United, with the Argentine emerging as one of the leading contenders to replace Carrick who is expected to lose his job this week.

The 54-year-old is currently contracted to the United States national team, having taken charge in September 2024 ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Although there had previously been expectations that he would return to club management after the tournament, Mauricio Pochettino committed his future to the USMNT in August by signing a new contract running until 2030.

However, that agreement does not necessarily rule out a move to Old Trafford.

According to reports, Manchester United could activate a buy-out clause worth approximately £7.4 million to secure his services, although negotiating his departure would still represent a significant financial commitment.

Pochettino has been admired by United’s decision-makers for several years.

He was considered for the managerial position in 2022 before the club appointed Erik ten Hag, while his name also featured in discussions when United considered parting ways with the Dutchman towards the end of the 2023/24 season.

His managerial experience makes him an interesting candidate for the rebuild at Old Trafford.

Pochettino began his coaching career at Espanyol in 2009 before making his Premier League breakthrough with Southampton, where he guided the club to an eighth-place finish in his first full season.

He subsequently took charge of Tottenham Hotspur in 2014, transforming them into genuine title contenders.

Spurs finished third in 2015/16 and second the following season before reaching their first Champions League final in 2019, although they ultimately lost 2-0 to Liverpool.

His next major appointment came at Paris Saint-Germain, where he won three trophies; Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the Trophee des Champions.

He later returned to England to manage Chelsea during the 2023/24 season, guiding the Blues to the League Cup final and a sixth-place Premier League finish.

Pochettino is not the only name being considered by United, with Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann also reportedly among the leading alternatives to Carrick.

United are not scheduled to return to action for just over two weeks, with a challenging trip to Liverpool awaiting them after the international break.