Mauricio Pochettino has reached a verbal agreement to become Manchester United’s next permanent manager after Michael Carrick was dismissed, with talks including the £7m release clause in his contract with the United States national team.
Carrick’s departure was not entirely unexpected inside the club, despite appearing sudden to supporters. Manchester United’s senior officials had already begun planning for life after the manager, who guided the club back into the Champions League only months ago.
Chief executive Omar Berrada told Carrick’s representative on Monday that he would travel to Monaco with sporting director Jason Wilcox to meet co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and discuss the manager’s future. Wilcox held a similar conversation with Carrick the following day, informing him that the club would make a recommendation without clearly stating what that recommendation would be.
The club regretted the process becoming so public but believed it was difficult to conceal discussions at an organisation of Manchester United’s size. Officials also felt they had been as transparent as possible with Carrick before ending his two-year contract.
Three-game test sealed Carrick’s fate
Carrick was given three matches to respond to heavy defeats by Como and Bournemouth. Manchester United faced Chelsea, Roma and Aston Villa during that period, winning once, drawing once and losing once.
The results were not sufficient to change the club’s view, particularly because the performances showed little progress in organisation, defensive structure or overall style. United conceded eight goals across those three matches.
The decisive game was a 4-4 draw against Aston Villa. United fell 2-0 behind within the opening four minutes, trailed 4-2 early in the second half and recovered to draw late on. The fightback could not save Carrick, with the club concluding that its problems went beyond one result.
Carrick’s appointment had initially been based on an impressive interim spell. After replacing Ruben Amorim in January 2026, he won 12 of 17 matches, recording a 70.1% win rate, and led United to third place in the Premier League and qualification for the Champions League.
He also improved the mood in the dressing room, gave attackers greater freedom and protected players publicly. Although several candidates were considered during the summer, United handed the 45-year-old a permanent two-year contract.
That success quickly failed to carry into the new campaign. Carrick won only three of his 15 matches this season, a 20% win rate. Across his full 32-game tenure, he recorded 15 victories, or 46.9%.
Pochettino faces immediate challenge
Manchester United have been negotiating with Pochettino since Monday. The Argentine’s representatives reportedly informed the club that his agreement with the United States Soccer Federation contained a $10m release clause, worth about £7m. Berrada contacted the federation on Wednesday to confirm the details and notify it of United’s intention to activate the clause.
Pochettino was open with United States officials about the discussions and wanted to return to the Premier League. His verbal agreement is for two and a half years, taking him through to summer 2029.
He was preparing to lead the United States against Haiti in the CONCACAF Nations League, with matches in Miami and Cincinnati. After the second game on 18 November, he is expected to travel to England and begin work at Carrington.
That leaves little preparation time before United visit Liverpool at Anfield on 22 November. Pochettino may have only one or two training sessions with his new players, some of whom could be absent because of international duty.
Wider concerns remain
Gary Neville, the former Manchester United defender and Sky Sports analyst, has argued that the club’s problems are structural rather than solely managerial. He noted that 12 years of changing managers had not solved the decline and called for a stronger performance department, transfer operation and leadership structure.
Pochettino is expected to become United’s eighth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. Jose Mourinho has the best permanent-manager win rate in that period at 58.3% and won three trophies in his first season, while Erik ten Hag won two domestic cups, Louis van Gaal won the FA Cup and David Moyes won the Community Shield.
Pochettino has previously been linked with United three times. His arrival would finally give him the opportunity, but his first task will be to break the cycle of short-term reactions that has continued since Ferguson’s departure.
