USA cancel media plans as Manchester United close on Mauricio Pochettino
Updated / Wednesday, 11 Nov 2026 14:47
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The United States have cancelled media access scheduled for today as Manchester United prepare to make a move for their head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
It's understood plans are afoot at United to recruit the Argentinian should current head coach Michael Carrick, as expected, be dismissed, with the club in the relegation zone on the back of their worst start to a season since 1986.
Pochettino is understood to be interested in the Old Trafford post, having also been linked with the vacancy when it has arisen in the past.
US Soccer confirmed planned media access with players scheduled for Wednesday had been cancelled in observance of Veterans Day, which removed the possibility of Pochettino's squad being asked to comment on the news of his potential exit.
Former Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea boss Pochettino signed a contract extension to remain as US head coach through to the 2030 World Cup just three months ago and US Soccer would be due compensation should he agree to move to United.
Despite the speculation surrounding Carrick, the Englishman arrived for training as usual at United's Carrington training ground on Wednesday morning.
Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox held talks with United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco on Wednesday, with Carrick's future under discussion, but no outcome has yet been announced.
A 4-1 Champions League loss at Como and 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth left Carrick's job hanging by a thread, but the club decided to give him the opportunity to turn the situation around.
Carrick's side subsequently lost 2-0 at Chelsea, where they were unable to take their chances and saw Lisandro Martinez sent off, before last Tuesday's thrilling 3-2 Champions League comeback win against Roma.
A scarcely believable 4-4 draw against Aston Villa followed on Sunday, after which the head coach stressed he would not walk away and was looking to the international break as usual.
"I'm pretty clear where we need to go and how we need to get there," Carrick said.
"Obviously some of the boys will be flying off around the world and different things, and the group will be split for 10 days or so.
"But as a normal international week is, you know, we'll have some training. We'll have one or two days off, but not too much. But we'll train, and we'll get ready for the next game."
United return to action with a Premier League trip to rivals Liverpool on 22 November and could do so with Pochettino in the dugout.
Pochettino has spoken to United about the job on several occasions down the years, including in 2022 when the club turned to Erik ten Hag instead.
There is huge mutual respect between Pochettino and former United manager Alex Ferguson. The pair have met frequently and Ferguson was known to have been very impressed by his Southampton side in 2013.
Pochettino has also spoken about attending the 1999 Champions League final in Barcelona where Ferguson's United side completed the treble.
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Source: RTÉ News · RTÉ Sport
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