Manchester United are leaning towards their preferred choice as next manager to replace Michael Carrick, according to Athletic journalist David Ornstein.

Man United are expected to relieve Carrick of his duties this week following a recommendation by Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada, who will meet with Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco this week.

Ratcliffe will have the final say, but the direction of travel is that the 45-year-old won't be in charge when the Red Devils face Liverpool at Anfield in their first match after the international break.

Should that happen, then United chiefs must decide where they turn to next as they look to reignite a season that is floundering.

The club find themselves in the Premier League relegation zone after winning just one of their 10 top flight matches so far this term, and they are nowhere near the levels they reached in the second half of the 2025-26 campaign.

GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed that USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino is emerging as a leading contender for the job, with $10m needed to activate the release clause in the new contract he signed in August.

GMS revealed previously that three out-of-work managers in Antonio Conte, Julian Nagelsmann and Eddie Howe also have their admirers among the Reds Devils' hierarchy, when they have been considering making a change.

• May 2026 — Manchester United handed Carrick a permanent two-year deal after Champions League qualification.
• August 2026 — Carrick oversaw summer signings including Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba.
• September 2026 — Carrick insisted his squad had improved once the transfer window closed.
• November 2026 — United slipped into the Premier League relegation zone for the first time since 1986 (after 9+ games)
• November 2026 — Carrick on the brink of being sacked after one win in 10 Premier League games.

According to Ornstein, speaking on the latest episode of the Athletic's football podcast on Tuesday afternoon, United have decided not to pursue moves for Howe, Conte or Nagelsmann.

The journalist says that leaves Pochettino as the favourite to take over the reins.

He said: “Julian Nagelsmann is a name that has been mentioned. I don't hear that that’s one they’re looking to pursue.

"Eddie Howe has been heavily rumoured, and I don't hear that that’s one that they’re looking to pursue.

"Antonio Conte, heavily rumoured. I don't hear that it’s one that they’re looking to pursue.

So by process of elimination, you kind of get to somebody like Mauricio Pochettino, and you think maybe that is one.

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