“Really close now” – Romano delivers latest updates on Carrick & Pochettino as Man Utd brace for change
Manchester United are seemingly on the cusp of sacking Michael Carrick, as Mauricio Pochettino emerges as a serious candidate for the role.
The fallen Premier League giants are enduring a dismal start to the campaign. They have only registered a single victory in their first 10 league matches, so they currently sit 18th in the table with only eight points in the bag.
As the club heads into the November international break in the relegation zone, INEOS have apparently decided to act.
Michael Carrick will be sacked in the coming hours
On Monday evening, several top sources in the British media reported that Man Utd officials Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox are now in favour of sacking Carrick in an attempt to rescue the campaign.
The final decision still requires ratification from the ownership, particularly Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is in charge of the day-to-day operations.
In the latest video posted on his official YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano confirms that Carrick is now ‘really, really close’ to dismissal.
While the 45-year-old is still expected to oversee Tuesday’s training session, the Italian journalist believes the decision to sack him will be communicated in the coming hours or days at most.
Romano also reveals that the MUFC directors have finally begun to contact other managers, with Mauricio Pochettino at the top of the list.
The Argentine has a contract with the USMNT running until July 2030, but it includes a release clause that can be activated under certain conditions.
Julian Nagelsmann and Eddie Howe are both available, so they remain viable candidates. On the other hand, Unai Emery is well-appreciated by Man Utd, but Aston Villa won’t let him go any time soon.
What to expect at Man Utd in the coming hours?
At this stage, almost all reliable sources agree that Carrick is now a dead man walking at Carrington, so his exit is only a matter of time.
But since the management doesn’t fancy an interim option, they might keep him until they secure an agreement with a permanent replacement. After all, Carrick isn’t the sort of character to cause a stir in such an unpleasant situation.
However, Berrada and Wilcox must act swiftly and decisively, because the international break represents the perfect opportunity for a new manager to assimilate himself at a new club, and every passing day is a wasted opportunity.
The sources also agree on Pochettino as the favourite for the role, but his signing represents a real challenge for the board. So it remains to be seen if they can pull it off or settle for a more attainable alternative.
