The specific names emerged late on Monday. Manchester United intend to relieve Michael Carrick of his duties, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, with work already underway on potential replacements. The report set an implied deadline: a change is anticipated before United face Liverpool at Anfield on 22 November.
Carrick’s own public line, 24 hours earlier, had been different. Sky Sports asked him on Sunday after the 4-4 draw with Aston Villa whether he could step away from the Old Trafford post.
“It’s not going to happen, no,” he told Sky Sports. His comments addressed whether he would walk away, not whether the club might remove him.
The club’s internal line, also via The Athletic, is that no final decision has been taken and nothing is set in stone. Final sign-off rests with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group and the Glazer family.
Read also: Eberl rejects talk of promoting Urbig as Bayern lose 40-year-old Neuer to injury again
18th after 10 games
United sit 18th after taking eight points from their opening 10 Premier League matches, their lowest position after 10 top-flight games since 1986/87. The 4-4 draw with Aston Villa extended their winless league run to eight games, a record low in the Premier League era.
Sky Sports reported the club has conceded 30 goals across all competitions, the worst return of any side in Europe’s top-five leagues. Director of football Jason Wilcox is leading the review during the international break.
Pochettino has a $10m release clause
Mauricio Pochettino is still USMNT head coach. He signed a contract extension in the summer that keeps him with US Soccer through the 2030 World Cup, and his deal contains a release clause reported to be in the region of US$10m. He led the United States to the Round of 16 at the 2026 home World Cup, where they lost 4-1 to Belgium.
Bookmaker odds on Pochettino tightened sharply after the Villa draw. Football365 reported his price went from 33/1 to 7/4, pushing him to second favourite behind Howe.
Read also: Joan Laporta named best president of the year as Barcelona complete golden boy double
Howe and Nagelsmann are already out of work
Eddie Howe has been without a club since stepping down at Newcastle on 31 July, ending nearly five years in charge.
Julian Nagelsmann became available at roughly the same time. He resigned as Germany head coach on 3 July after Germany were knocked out of the home World Cup by Paraguay on penalties in the Round of 32.
United’s next Premier League fixture is Liverpool away on 22 November.
Read also: Patrice Bergeron inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame: ‘An absolute privilege’
