Michael Carrick arrived at the Carrington training complex on Tuesday morning to take training while Manchester United powerbrokers review his position during the international break, according to RTÉ.
The club languishes in 18th place in the relegation zone after the worst start to a campaign since 1986. Yahoo Sports reported that United will spend the international hiatus considering alternatives to the 45-year-old.
Old Trafford sources insisted on Tuesday afternoon that no final decision had been reached regarding Carrick’s future. The former midfielder made 464 appearances for the club between 2006 and 2018.
Carrick’s fate is set to be decided approximately 800 miles away from Manchester during a Wednesday meeting in Monaco, as reported by RTÉ. Director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada are scheduled to present their assessments to club ownership in the principality.
Co-owner Jim Ratcliffe, whose Ineos company controls football operations, is based in Monaco and would need to sign off on any managerial change alongside the Glazers. United have kept tight-lipped about the ongoing review process.
The uncertainty follows a turbulent run of fixtures that included a 4-1 Champions League defeat at Como and a 3-0 home loss against Bournemouth. Carrick’s side subsequently lost 2-0 at Chelsea before securing a 3-2 Champions League comeback win against Roma and a 4-4 draw against Aston Villa on Sunday.
Mauricio Pochettino has surfaced as the leading candidate to replace Carrick if the club opts for a change, according to RTÉ. The former Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea boss has previously held talks with United.
Pochettino currently serves as head coach of the United States national team, having extended his deal until 2030 just three months ago. He is presently in Georgia preparing the US squad for upcoming Nations League quarter-final fixtures against Haiti.
Other managers have previously entered the discussion. Yahoo Sports noted that former Newcastle boss Eddie Howe and ex-Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann were linked when United seriously evaluated replacing Carrick a fortnight ago, while Aston Villa manager Unai Emery also commands admiration.
Despite mounting speculation over his departure, Carrick stated after the Aston Villa draw that he intends to carry on as normal during the international break. The squad faces a split period with players traveling for international fixtures.
“It’s been a right mixed week or two or three, really, if you’re looking at the events,” Carrick said, according to RTÉ. “But I’m pretty clear where we need to go and how we need to get there.”
United return to competitive action with a Premier League fixture away against rivals Liverpool on November 22.
Director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada are scheduled to meet with co-owner Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco to discuss the managerial situation, according to reporting by RTÉ and Yahoo Sports.
Pochettino is the head coach of the United States national team, where he recently extended his contract until 2030 and is preparing for Nations League matches against Haiti, as noted by RTÉ.
United return to action with a Premier League match away against rivals Liverpool on November 22, following the conclusion of the international break.
United drew 4-4 with Aston Villa on Sunday before players departed for international duty, according to Yahoo Sports.