Manchester United has not officially fired manager Michael Carrick, but should they in the coming days, the Red Devils front office has reportedly got their replacement lined up. U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly finalizing a deal to become the Red Devils next manager, should the English Premier League club remove Carrick from the position, The Athletic and ESPN reported Wednesday. Pochettino, who is currently with his USMNT squad at U.S. Soccer’s National Training Center in Fayetteville, Georgia, has not commented on the news, but is due for a prematch press conference on Friday. Manchester United has not yet made contact with U.S. Soccer, whom they will reportedly have to pay $10 million to trigger Pochettino’s release clause, according to the reports. The Red Devils would also have to pay for Pochettino’s coaching staff, which includes longtime right-hand man Jesus Perez, Miguel D’Agostino, goalkeeping coach Antonio Jimenez, and his son, fitness coach Sebastiano Pochettino. Carrick, who remained Manchester United manager after helping the Red Devils seal a UEFA Champions League return last spring, has endured a rough first half of the 2026-27 campaign. The Red Devils are currently sitting in the EPL’s relegation zone, with just one league win this term. Man United did rally for a 3-2 UCL win against Italian side Roma back on November 3, but previously lost to Atletico Madrid and Como in league phase action. The Red Devils are also out of this season’s EFL Cup after losing 3-2 at home to Brighton & Hove Albion in the third round. Pochettino, 54, previously spent over five years as manager of Tottenham from 2014-19 and last managed in club football with Chelsea from July 2023-May 2024. He reached three finals during his spells as manager of the pair of London clubs, but did not lift a trophy in England. After joining U.S. Soccer in September 2024, Pochettino led the USMNT to a Round of 16 finish at the 2026 FIFA World Cup last summer. He has won 21 of his 35 matches in charge of the program, including four-straight victories during the September-October window. Pochettino signed a new, four-year deal with U.S. Soccer last August heading into the 2030 World Cup cycle. However, should a deal get struck with Manchester United, Pochettino would be out as USMNT head coach before qualifying even begins. The USMNT are currently preparing for their CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal round series with Haiti, which begins on Saturday in Miami, Florida, and concludes on Nov. 17 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Should Pochettino decide to depart U.S. Soccer, Olympic Team head coach Steve Cherundolo would be a likely replacement to step in immediately. Cherundolo was hired to lead the USMNT Under-23’s in preparation for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.