Manchester United have agreed a deal to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as head coach following Michael Carrick’s dismissal on Thursday. The Argentine is expected to sign a two-and-a-half-year contract, with the club set to announce his appointment on Friday.
Pochettino will take over after leading the United States in their games against Haiti on Saturday and Wednesday. His contract with the US national team contained a £7m release clause. His first match in charge of United is expected to be against Liverpool at Anfield on November 22.
United had previously considered Pochettino for the job on three occasions. The former Tottenham, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain manager is set to become the club’s eighth permanent appointment since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
Carrick leaves less than six months after signing a contract through 2028. United won just one of their opening 10 league matches, leaving them in the relegation zone after their worst start to a Premier League season. They have won three of 15 games in all competitions this term.
Carrick took training on Wednesday while United reached a verbal agreement with Pochettino. Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe approved Carrick’s dismissal at a meeting in Monaco after chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox recommended a change. United’s leadership reportedly believed the squad was capable of better performances and results.
United’s final game under Carrick was Sunday’s 4–4 draw with Aston Villa. They conceded twice in the opening four minutes and trailed 4–2 early in the second half before rescuing a point late on. They had also come from behind to beat Roma in the Champions League the previous Tuesday.
Carrick took over from Ruben Amorim in January 2026 on a deal through the end of the season. He won 12 of his 17 matches, guiding United to a third-place finish and Champions League qualification. That run earned him a Premier League Manager of the Season nomination and a two-year contract, which he signed on May 22.
Jonny Evans, Jonathan Woodgate, Steve Holland, Travis Binnion and goalkeeping coach Craig Mawson have also left the club. Assistant first-team goalkeeping coach Connor King, who joined two months ago, is the only coach from Carrick’s staff to stay.
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