# Manchester United Targets Mauricio Pochettino Amidst Severe Premier League Crisis The club eyes Pochettino as Michael Carrick faces dismissal following a disastrous season start. - **Source:** [GE Globo – Futebol](https://ge.globo.com/futebol) - **Published:** 2026-11-11 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/830f8941-78ef-4e21-a2bd-1d4eb58e5c28 ## Carrick Nears Imminent Dismissal Manchester United is preparing to terminate Michael Carrick’s contract following a dismal start to the Premier League season. The club currently sits in 18th place, marking their worst position after nine games since 1986. Carrick, who assumed the role in May 2026, faces pressure after securing only one league victory. ## Pochettino Identified as Successor Mauricio Pochettino, the current United States national team head coach, has emerged as the primary candidate to replace Carrick. Negotiations are reportedly advanced, though the club has yet to initiate formal contact with the U.S. Soccer Federation. Pochettino is interested in the role despite his current commitments with the national team. ## Financial Hurdles for Transition The managerial change involves significant costs, with estimates exceeding 10 million dollars in contract penalties. Beyond the severance package for Carrick, United must negotiate a release fee with the U.S. Federation for Pochettino. Experts suggest the total operation could surpass 12 million euros, complicating the club's financial planning for the season. ## Defensive and Tactical Failures The urgency for a change follows a dramatic 4-4 draw against Aston Villa, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities. Manchester United currently holds the worst defensive record among Europe’s top five leagues. Despite late goals from Zirkzee and Dorgu, the team remains in the relegation zone, struggling to find consistency in both domestic and European competitions. ## Missed Opportunities in Summer Critics argue the current crisis could have been avoided by hiring available managers during the summer. Names like Marco Silva, Thomas Frank, Oliver Glasner, and Xabi Alonso were reportedly accessible before the club committed to Carrick. The decision to appoint him permanently is now viewed as a controversial move that contributed to this lost season. ## National Team Commitments Pochettino is currently focused on the Concacaf Nations League quarter-finals, with matches against Haiti scheduled for November 14 and 17. Having led the U.S. team to the World Cup round of 16, his departure would require a complex release process. United must navigate these international fixtures before finalizing any potential managerial appointment. ## Alternative Managerial Options While Pochettino is the preferred choice, other high-profile managers remain available, including Eddie Howe, Antonio Conte, and Julian Nagelsmann. However, reports suggest the club is unlikely to pursue Conte. The priority for any incoming manager will be immediate survival, as the club faces the genuine threat of relegation from the Premier League. ## Historical Context of Crisis The last time United occupied a bottom-three spot at this stage was in 1986, which led to Ron Atkinson’s dismissal and the arrival of Alex Ferguson. Today, the club faces a similar crossroads. Whether Pochettino can stabilize the squad remains the central question as the team fights to avoid an unprecedented relegation scenario. ## Sources covering this story - [Record — Manchester United Faces High Costs for Managerial Transition](https://www.record.pt/internacional/paises/inglaterra/detalhe/os-milhoes-que-o-man-united-tem-de-gastar-para-despedir-carrick-e-contratar-pochettino) - [GE Globo – Futebol — Manchester United Targets Mauricio Pochettino as Next Manager Amid Crisis](https://ge.globo.com/futebol/futebol-internacional/noticia/2026/11/11/manchester-united-encaminha-acerto-com-tecnico-da-selecao-dos-eua-antes-de-demitir-seu-treinador.ghtml) - [Observador — Mauricio Pochettino Nears Manchester United Managerial Role](https://observador.pt/2026/11/11/a-setima-vai-mesmo-ser-de-vez-mauricio-pochettino-muito-perto-de-substituir-michael-carrick-no-united/) - [Público — Mauricio Pochettino Set to Replace Michael Carrick at Manchester United](https://www.publico.pt/2026/11/11/desporto/noticia/sai-carrick-entra-pochettino-carrossel-united-continua-girar-2194626) - Notícias ao Minuto — Manchester United Terminates Michael Carrick's Contract Immediately - https://www.noticiasaominuto.com/desporto/3082884/manchester-united-despede-michael-carrick-com-efeitos-imediatos#utm_source=rss-ultima-hora&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rssfeed — - [NU.nl — Manchester United Dismisses Michael Carrick Amid Performance Crisis](https://www.nu.nl/voetbal/6413993/weer-trainersontslag-bij-manchester-united-crisis-kost-michael-carrick-de-kop.html) - [SVT Nyheter — Manchester United Parts Ways with Manager Michael Carrick](https://www.svt.se/sport/fotboll/manchester-united-sparkar-michael-carrick) - [NOS Sport — Manchester United Sacks Manager Michael Carrick After Poor Performance](https://nos.nl/l/2639145) --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._