Pochettino leads Man United's list to replace Carrick

According to ESPN, Mauricio Pochettino is the favoured candidate to replace Michael Carrick as Manchester United manager. The club is ready to dismiss the 45-year-old amid growing alarm at a side that has slipped into the relegation zone, winning only once in ten league games this season. Talks continue over the coming days, although the club now accepts a change is needed.

The review at Old Trafford

Director of football Jason Wilcox is leading the review with CEO Omar Berrada before making a recommendation to Jim Ratcliffe. Carrick was given three games to turn things around: a 2-0 defeat at Chelsea, a 3-2 win over Roma and a 4-4 draw with Aston Villa, and the results have outweighed the improvement United needed. The Daily Mail reckons that landing Pochettino could cost around £7 million.

Pochettino, 54, extended his USSF contract until 2030 in August, after taking the United States to the Round of 16 at the World Cup. Several reports say his new deal includes an escape clause that would spare United a significant compensation fee.

Other names on the list

Eddie Howe, the former Newcastle manager, is also admired by United's bosses, while Julian Nagelsmann and Kieran McKenna are among the options. Pochettino, though, has been interviewed for the job three times before and has the Premier League experience and personality the club wants to drag itself out of danger.

Carrick signed a two-year deal in the summer, after arriving as interim manager in January and guiding the club into the Champions League. United's next match is at Anfield against Liverpool on 22 November.