Michael Carrick is on the outs at Manchester United, and the drama could snatch USA men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino away from the squad. Reports on Monday confirm Manchester United is set to sack Carrick after the club’s brutal 4-4 draw against Aston Villa on Sunday, a result that leaves them stuck firmly in the Premier League’s relegation zone.
United Is Desperate, And For Good Reason
This isn’t just any rough patch for United. This is a club staring down relegation, something they haven’t endured since the 1973-74 season. Let that sink in. A 4-4 tie against Aston Villa should’ve been a turning point, a spark to ignite a comeback, but instead, it looks like the final straw for Carrick. The pressure in Manchester is absolutely immense, and they are clearly scrambling for a big name to turn things around before they drop out of the top flight completely.
Pochettino’s Sudden Opportunity
Enter Mauricio Pochettino. TalkSPORT is calling him a “leading candidate” for the managerial vacancy, and The Athletic also confirms he is “expected to figure highly” among those being considered. It’s a massive opportunity for any coach, one that could put him at the helm of one of the world’s most storied clubs. But it throws a serious wrench into the USMNT’s plans.
Pochettino only signed a four-year contract extension with the U.S. men’s national team back in August. That was fresh off their Round of 16 finish at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, played right here in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Before taking over the USMNT in 2024, he built a strong resume with high-profile gigs in Europe, including Premier League stops at Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea F.C. The man knows top-tier club football, and that experience is exactly what United needs right now. Other names floating around include former Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe and former Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann, but Pochettino’s name is clearly at the top.
Now, with the USMNT staring down Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals against Haiti on November 14 and 17, both played right here in the United States, the timing couldn’t be worse. Will Pochettino stay committed to the national team project, or will the lure of saving one of football’s biggest clubs pull him back to England? USMNT fans are about to find out how solid that August contract really is.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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