Mauricio Pochettino has reportedly moved into contention for the Manchester United managerial position as doubts continue to surround Michael Carrick’s long-term future at Old Trafford.

According to a report by FootballTransfers on Monday, 9 November 2026, the former Tottenham Hotspur manager has seen his odds of taking over at United shorten considerably, placing him among the bookmakers’ leading candidates alongside Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe.

Uncertainty over Carrick’s position persists despite some encouraging results in recent matches. United produced an impressive comeback to defeat Roma 3-2 before playing out an entertaining 4-4 draw against Aston Villa. However, those performances have done little to ease concerns about the club’s overall Premier League campaign.

The Red Devils have managed only one league victory in their opening 10 matches and currently occupy 18th position with eight points. Their place in the relegation zone has intensified scrutiny of Carrick, with the former midfielder under increasing pressure to improve the team’s performances and results.

Questions about his future first became prominent after United suffered a disappointing 3-0 home defeat against Bournemouth in October. Although Carrick remained in the dugout following that setback, speculation about possible replacements has continued as the club struggles to escape the bottom end of the table.

Howe and Germany national team coach Julian Nagelsmann had previously featured prominently among the names linked with the position. However, Pochettino’s growing prominence in the betting market has introduced another potential candidate into the discussion surrounding United’s managerial future.

The Argentine remains an established figure in English football following his successful five-year spell at Tottenham. During his time in north London, he transformed the club into a regular contender for major honours, guiding them to second place in the Premier League and their first Champions League final in 2019.

After leaving Tottenham, Pochettino took charge of Paris Saint-Germain before managing Chelsea. He subsequently moved into international management in 2024, accepting the responsibility of leading the United States national team.

His current position, however, could make a move to Manchester United difficult to arrange. Pochettino signed a contract extension with the United States Soccer Federation in August, committing himself to the national team until the 2030 World Cup.

Following the announcement of the new agreement, the 54-year-old spoke positively about continuing the project and building on the progress made with the national team.

"The passion we experienced from the fans throughout the World Cup only strengthened our belief in what is possible here.

"We are excited by the opportunity to bring all our experience and knowledge to even more areas of U.S. Soccer while helping strengthen the pathways for players, coaches and teams across the Federation."

The contractual commitment represents a significant consideration for Manchester United if they decide to pursue the former Tottenham manager. Although Pochettino has been linked with the Old Trafford job on several previous occasions, his responsibilities with the United States could complicate any attempt to bring him back to club football.

For the moment, Carrick remains responsible for United’s first team, but the club’s position in the Premier League leaves little room for further setbacks. Unless results improve significantly, speculation about alternative managerial appointments is likely to remain a prominent issue at Old Trafford.