Mauricio Pochettino To Man Utd Odds Suspended By Bet365; Talks Held

Mauricio Pochettino has jumped to the front of the queue and is being heavily backed by Bet365 to take over the reins at Manchester United should Michael Carrick be sacked. Carrick has come under increasing scrutiny following a dismal set start to the season, but he was given a stay of execution after a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Bournemouth in the Premier League last month.

According to BBC Sport, United have formally opened talks to establish whether Pochettino would be interested in taking the role should the board decide to dispense with Carrick. Yesterday, an odds-on favourite price of 2/7 was assigned to Pochettino, but now the market has been suspended.

Significant market shifts

Only a week or so ago, Pochettino was a distant 50/1 with bet365 to assume the United hotseat. However, there have been significant market shifts. The Argentine tactician, who is currently contracted as the USA head coach until 2030, is now the strong favourite to get the job.

Former Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, who departed Tyneside over the summer, had done much of the frontrunning, and was previously priced as the 4/1 favourite. But in  a fast-developing story, United could have a replacement for Carrick if he doesn’t survive the international break. Other reports have suggested United could trigger the £7.4 million to release Pochettino from his USNT post.

United’s pursuit of Pochettino

Pochettino has been on United’s radar for some time. Indeed, the 54-year-old has been admired from afar by the Old Trafford hierarchy. He was courted for the position while at Tottenham and then again when he was coming to the end of his tenure with Paris Saint-Germain.

And when United sacked Erik ten Hag in October 2024, Pochettino emerged as a leading contender. There has been a well-established history of United’s interest in Pochettino, but a 10-year dance of incompatible circumstances has not seen their paths converge yet.

More interestingly, Pochettino, who also previously managed Southampton and Chelsea, hinted at a return to the Premier League earlier this year during an interview with French paper L’Equipe. He said: “I miss the football scene in England. I love the country, its culture, the football culture.

“For anyone with a competitive spirit who wants to measure themselves against others and test their limits, it’s the ideal place. Here, you have to give yourself constantly.”

Monaco summit could decide everything

If it wasn’t already clear, Carrick’s situation at United is extremely precarious. Despite arriving at the club’s Carrington training base to oversee training, United’s CEO Omar Berrada, director of football Jason Wilcox, and co-owner Jim Ratcliffe jetted out to Monaco today for a summit.

As part of its regular pre-planned meetings discussing strategy around the club, the subject of Carrick has become a pressing issue. Ratcliffe’s home in Monaco, and his company INEOS has offices in the principality. Previously, it was thought meetings in Monaco used to be held every six weeks, but this has been less frequent in recent times.

It is believed Berrada and Wilcox as part of their extensive review of the season so far will recommend that Carrick should be sacked. Although there is currently an international break, Carrick’s long-term future, it is believed, could be decided by tomorrow.

The damning stats

United’s demise this term has been well-documented. The Red Devils currently reside in the relegation zone (18th), having registered just one win from their opening 10 league games.

It represents their lowest position at this stage of a top-flight campaign since the 1986/87 campaign when they were 20th. Fears have mounted that United could be involved in a relegation battle, and they have shipped 30 goals in all competitions this term — no side across Europe’s top five league has conceded more.

Defensive frailties have remained a concern, and while they battled back from 2-0 down against Roma in the Champions League to run out 3-2 winners, they could have been put to bed by Aston Villa. However, they ended up salvaging a point after recovering twice from a two-goal deficit in a thrilling 4-4 draw.

Patience for Carrick is already wearing thin. United’s problems have stacked up over the past few seasons, and while there may be a growing belief that Carrick should go, it will be fascinating to see whether he will still be in charge for United’s trip away to Liverpool after the international break.