Man Utd have decided that they will include Mauricio Pochettino’s name as part of the process if they replace Michael Carrick, according to reports.

The Red Devils gained a point on Sunday when they came 4-2 down to secure a 4-4 draw with a goal each from Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu in second-half injury time.

That point was not enough to save Man Utd from finding themselves in the Premier League relegation zone for the international break.

Carrick’s side have won one of their ten Premier League matches this season, while they ended a nine-match winless run in all competitions on Tuesday in a 3-2 victory over Roma in the Champions League.

The Man Utd head coach survived crisis talks between the club’s hierarchy after the Red Devils lost 3-0 at home to Bournemouth in October.

Widespread reports indicated that Carrick would be given to the international break to convince club officials that he can improve results and displays.

Both Fabrizio Romano and The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell insisted in the aftermath of the draw against Aston Villa on Sunday that there were no immediate signs that Carrick was about to be fired.

However, The Overlap journalist Mike Keegan revealed on Monday that the Man Utd are now ‘assessing’ Carrick’s performance in recent matches.

Keegan wrote on X: ‘Manchester United bosses are now assessing Michael Carrick’s position as we head into the international break. The manager was given three games following the Bournemouth defeat to show he could turn things around. A loss, a comeback win and a crazy draw means questions remain. #mufc’

Numerous managers have been linked with replacing Carrick, if Man Utd do replace him, but former Tottenham boss Pochettino recently rose to become favourite with some bookmakers to take over.

Man Utd to ‘explore’ Pochettino deal if they sack Carrick

And now Football Insider journalist Pete O’Rourke insists that Man Utd ‘will explore the option of appointing Mauricio Pochettino if they decide to sack Michael Carrick’.

Despite Pochettino signing a new contract with the USA men’s national team in the summer, O’Rourke adds: ‘The Argentine is a long-term target for the Old Trafford hierarchy, and they view him as a clear option once again to potentially replace Carrick.’

His deal in the USA makes a deal ‘difficult’ for Man Utd but the Red Devils plan to do their ‘due diligence’ if they need to in order to discover if that contract be easily broken.

TalkSPORT‘s chief football correspondent Alex Crook reckons Carrick will now get another “stay of execution” after those two late goals against Aston Villa.

Crook said on talkSPORT: “One Premier League win, that was way back in August against Ipswich Town.

“Two victories in the Champions League, one against Sabah, who are probably going to finish towards the bottom of the pile. It’s not been a great start to the season.

“I think the late equaliser, those two goals in stoppage time have probably given Michael Carrick a stay of execution.”