Mauricio Pochettino is the bookies' leading candidate to replace under-fire Michael Carrick as Manchester United head coach should the latter get sacked.

As reported by Daily Mail Sport late on Monday night, Carrick is facing the sack during this November international break as a result of United's disastrous season so far.

Scrutiny on his role has intensified with the Red Devils now in the relegation zone despite salvaging a 4-4 draw against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Former Tottenham and Chelsea boss Pochettino is currently in charge of the US national team, but his contract includes a £7million release clause. However, it is yet to be determined the true value of prising Pochettino out as that figure doesn't include buying out his backroom staff.

It is also believed within Pochettino's deal that there is another clause which would allow him to leave his US role for particular high-profile jobs, such as at Old Trafford.

And Betfair have the Argentine as the favourite to succeed Carrick should he be dismissed within the next fortnight before United travel to bitter rivals Liverpool on November 22.

As of 8.12am on Tuesday morning, they have him at 4/7 with out of work trio Eddie Howe (5/2), Julian Nagelsmann (5/1) and Didier Deschamps (15/2) the next favourites.

Antonio Conte and Aston Villa manager Unai Emery (both 9/1) follow the aforementioned quartet in the odds.

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, Kieran McKenna, who worked with Carrick as an assistant manager to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and ex-England manager Gareth Southgate are all 20/1.

Southgate's successor Thomas Tuchel is 28/1 alongside Diego Simeone, Sebastian Hoeness and Cesc Fabregas.

Nottingham Forest head coach Oliver Glasner is 33/1 too. 

As Daily Mail Sport detailed, although it's understood that no final decision has been reached over Carrick's future and insiders say that speculation over his sacking is premature, the expectation within Old Trafford is that a new man will be in charge for the visit to Anfield a week on Sunday.

Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim in mid-January and the former United midfielder was handed a two-year contract in May after guiding United to a third-place finish and qualification for the Champions League, losing just two of his 17 games as head coach.

However, he has only won three of 15 games in all competitions. Breaking it down even further, the 45-year-old has overseen United's worst top-flight start since Sir Alex Ferguson replaced Ron Atkinson 40 years ago - with one victory in 10 matches.

READ: USMNT fans in meltdown as head coach Mauricio Pochettino emerges as frontrunner for Manchester United job