Mauricio Pochettino is prepared to take charge of Manchester United if the club formally offers him the head coach position, as Michael Carrick faces an imminent exit from Old Trafford.
The Argentine has emerged as a leading candidate to replace Carrick, with United having already opened discussions with him about the possibility of taking over the struggling Premier League side.
Sources have told BBC Sport that Pochettino is keen on the opportunity but intends to respect his current commitment to the United States national team and will wait for an official approach from United.
The 54-year-old, who signed a new contract with the US Soccer Federation in August, would require United to pay a reported $10 million (£7.5 million) compensation fee to secure his release.
His potential departure could create complications for the United States, who are preparing for a two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against Haiti over the next week.
Meanwhile, Carrick’s future is expected to be determined at a meeting in Monaco on Wednesday involving United chief executive Omar Berrada, director of football Jason Wilcox and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Berrada and Wilcox are expected to recommend that Carrick be relieved of his duties following the club’s poor start to the season.
United currently sit 18th in the Premier League after winning just one of their opening 10 matches and failing to record another victory since August.
The position represents the club’s lowest league standing at this stage of a top-flight campaign since the 1986-87 season, when they occupied 20th place.
A move for Pochettino would mark another attempt by United to secure the services of the former Tottenham and Chelsea manager. The club previously considered him following the departures of Jose Mourinho in 2018 and Erik ten Hag in 2024, as well as during the managerial search in 2022.
Pochettino built his reputation in English football during his five-year spell at Tottenham, guiding the club to the Champions League final. He also managed Southampton, Paris St-Germain and Chelsea before taking charge of the United States in September 2024.
He subsequently led the co-host nation to the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
With Carrick’s position under review and Pochettino reportedly willing to accept the role, United could soon move closer to appointing a new manager as they attempt to turn around their difficult campaign.
