Manchester United have already made contact with their top manager target as they begin the hunt for Michael Carrick's replacement, according to a brand-new update from Fabrizio Romano.

Man United chiefs Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada have decided to recommend to co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe that the club sacks Carrick during the international break, following a disastrous season.

Not only do United lie in the relegation spots in the Premier League having won only one of their 10 matches this term, but they have also lost two of their four Champions League fixtures, and been knocked out of the EFL Cup by Brighton and Hove Albion despite leading 2-0 against the Seagulls at Old Trafford after 10 minutes.

The Red Devils are a shadow of the team who soared to a third-place finish in the Premier League last term under the leadership of Carrick, and Berrada and Wilcox have decided it's time for a change.

United's players shouldn't get away without any criticism however, given the majority have been nowhere near the levels they reached in the 2025-26 campaign. Lisandro Martinez and Bruno Fernandes haven't helped the situation either by speaking out publicly against Wilcox and Carrick in recent weeks.

Even though Carrick remains in the job for now, talk has already started about how is going tor replace the 45-year-old in the dugout.

As GIVEMESPORT revealed on Monday evening, USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino is emerging as a leading contender for the job, while Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte have also had their admirers on the United board.

Speaking on his latest video on Tuesday evening, Romano revealed that the Red Devils have already held talks with the representatives of Pochettino, who GMS understands has a $10m release clause in the new contract he signed in August.

Romano said: "They already had contact with Mauricio Pochettino, so he's a serious candidate for sure.

"Then, obviously, before appointing him, meetings, talks, discussions are still needed. But they know him; they know him well. Pochettino ticks several boxes at Manchester United in terms of international experience and much more. So he's a manager highly rated by Manchester. United, so he's in the running for sure.

"He's also open to getting the job. So Mauricio Pochettino would be open to taking this opportunity. Then we have to see if Man United decide to go all in and appoint Pochettino. So that's the question mark right now.

But Pochettino is in the running for sure. There have been discussions with his representatives.

Pochettino Looks Like Most Likely Appointment

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