According to a report by FootballTransfers on Monday, November 9, 2026, Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly gaining ground in the competition to become Manchester United's next manager, as uncertainty continues to surround Michael Carrick's position at Old Trafford.

The Argentine tactician has reportedly become one of the strongest contenders for the job after his odds of taking over at the Premier League club improved significantly. He is now being considered alongside Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe as one of the bookmakers' leading choices.

Although Carrick has overseen some encouraging moments recently, his position remains far from secure. Manchester United secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Roma before sharing eight goals in an entertaining 4-4 encounter against Aston Villa. Despite these results, questions about the team's overall progress have not disappeared.

United's biggest concern remains their poor performance in the Premier League. The club have managed to record only one victory in their opening 10 matches, a disappointing run that has left them with eight points and sitting 18th in the league standings.

Their position inside the relegation zone has increased the pressure on Carrick, who must find a way to improve the team's results if he hopes to retain the confidence of the club's hierarchy.

The former United midfielder had already experienced serious criticism after his side suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth at Old Trafford in October. Although the club decided against making an immediate managerial change, speculation about possible successors has continued.

Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann were previously regarded as potential candidates to replace Carrick. However, Pochettino's recent rise in the betting market has introduced a fresh development into the situation and made the managerial contest even more interesting.

The former Tottenham Hotspur boss is well known to English football supporters following his successful spell in North London. He spent five years with Spurs, establishing the club as one of the strongest sides in the Premier League during that period.

His biggest achievements included leading Tottenham to a second-place finish in the Premier League and guiding the team to the 2019 UEFA Champions League final.

Following his departure from Tottenham, Pochettino continued his managerial career with Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea before accepting the opportunity to manage the United States national team in 2024.

However, Manchester United's possible interest could face an important complication because the 54-year-old recently agreed to extend his contract with the American national team. The new agreement, signed in August, is expected to keep him in charge until the 2030 World Cup

Pochettino previously expressed satisfaction with his continued involvement in the American football project, explaining that the enthusiasm shown by supporters during the World Cup had strengthened his confidence in the team's future.

Consequently, convincing him to leave his international responsibility for a return to club football may not be straightforward.

For Manchester United, the immediate priority remains improving their performances and moving away from the relegation places. Carrick is still in charge, but the emergence of Pochettino as a leading candidate suggests that questions about the club's managerial future are far from settled.