Deschamps Declines Manchester United, Pochettino Favored to Replace Carrick

Manchester United is preparing to sack Michael Carrick during the international break, according to The Athletic and the Guardian. The late draw against Aston Villa (4-4) was not enough to delay the inevitable for a club sitting in 18th place in the Premier League, first in the relegation zone, just one point behind Coventry.

The figures are damning: just one victory in the last eleven matches across all competitions, for four draws and six defeats. The club’s leadership wants a new manager in place before the trip to Anfield to face Liverpool, scheduled for November 22.

Behind the scenes, sporting director Jason Wilcox and executive director Omar Berrada have opened discussions around three profiles. Mauricio Pochettino, currently manager of the United States, appears to be the favorite. The Argentine is ahead of Eddie Howe, former Newcastle manager, and Julian Nagelsmann, former German national team coach. The final choice will need to be validated by co-owner Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family.

Didier Deschamps, at one point called for by some Manchester United supporters, will not be part of the picture. According to the English press, the Red Devils’ leadership did make contact with the 1998 World Cup winner to sound out his intentions. The former France national team manager, free of any contract, gave a categorical refusal, declining the project given the current sporting context. Manchester United must therefore turn to other candidates to try to salvage a season that is turning into a nightmare.