Mauricio Pochettino is among the leading candidates to become the next Manchester United manager if Michael Carrick is sacked

Michael Carrick’s days as Manchester United head coach appear to be numbered as the club reviews his position and considers alternatives - with Mauricio Pochettino among the leading candidates to potentially take over at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils will spend the international break in the relegation zone after failing to add to August’s solitary Premier League win against Ipswich in Sunday’s 4-4 draw with Aston Villa.

United languish in 18th spot and are reviewing Carrick’s position as the club take stock during the international break, the Press Association understands.

Reports suggest the club intend to replace the former midfielder following talks on Monday, although Old Trafford sources insisted no decision had been made that evening.

United director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada seriously considered sacking Carrick a fortnight ago after the 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth compounded a calamitous 4-1 Champions League loss at Como.

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The club eventually decided to give the head coach and his players the opportunity to turn the situation around before the international break.

Carrick’s side subsequently lost 2-0 at Chelsea, where they were unable to take their chances and saw Lisandro Martinez sent off, before last Tuesday’s 3-2 comeback win against Roma and Sunday’s 4-4 draw with Villa.

United have been considering whether that run merits him staying on and would have to push a manager who headed into the international break having stressed he would not walk away.

Asked if the November pause comes at a good time for the group, the under-fire United boss said: “Yeah, it’s been a right mixed week or two or three, really, if you’re looking at the events.

“But I’m pretty clear where we need to go and how we need to get there. Obviously some of the boys will be flying off around the world and different things, and the group will be split for 10 days or so.

“But as a normal international week is, you know, we’ll have some training. We’ll have one or two days off, but not too much. But we’ll train, and we’ll get ready for the next game.”

The final international break of the year would seem a logical time if United wanted to make a change, given there is no free midweek until mid-December after returning with a trip to rivals Liverpool on November 22.

Former Newcastle boss Eddie Howe and ex-Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann are contenders to replace Carrick if the club decide a change in the Old Trafford hotseat is necessary.

Pochettino, the former Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea manager, has often been linked with the role and bookmakers have slashed odds on him coming in.

The former Argentina defender extended his deal in charge of the United States national team until 2030 just three months ago. However it is understood that their is an escape clause in his new deal for £7.4million, with United would have to pay for his services.

Another Spurs manager in Antonio Conte is another potential candidate, with the Italian available after leaving Serie A giants Napoli.

Carrick’s future remains up in the air but the head coach is steadfast in his belief that he can lead the embattled side up the standings having seen enough positives since the nadir of Bournemouth.

“Goals change games, and you’ve got to deal with it, and it’s part of something we have to improve on drastically,” Carrick said.

“But there’s more than enough. We’re just making it too difficult for ourselves at the moment in certain times.”