Manchester United set to sack Carrick with club rooted in Premier League relegation zone

Manchester United are preparing to sack Michael Carrick following a meeting in Monaco where sporting director Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada are expected to advise Ineos to make a change, with the club currently sitting in the Premier League relegation zone.

Carrick had been given a reprieve last month after back-to-back defeats to Como and Bournemouth, with a full review delayed until the November international break. He was handed three games to demonstrate progress, but the results proved insufficient. United lost to Chelsea after Lisandro Martinez was sent off, beat Roma in a Champions League comeback, and then drew with Aston Villa — a sequence that will not be enough to save his position.

With Carrick’s dismissal now widely anticipated, Manchester Evening News polled its readers on who should take charge next, drawing more than 5,600 votes. Mauricio Pochettino came out on top with 34 per cent of the vote, ahead of Antonio Conte on 27 per cent, Eddie Howe on 14 per cent, Julian Nagelsmann on 12 per cent, and other candidates accounting for the remaining 13 per cent.

Pochettino’s lead in the fan poll coincides with reports that United are already in talks with the Argentine’s representatives. He is currently in charge of the United States Men’s National Team, and a release clause of £7.43 million is understood to be written into his contract, potentially smoothing any potential move.