Mauricio Pochettino Reportedly Isn’t Manchester United Players’ First Choice

Mauricio Pochettino may be the leading candidate to take over at Manchester United, but a report says some players would rather see another manager get the job. TalkSPORT reports that several members of the squad had hoped the club would appoint Aston Villa boss Unai Emery instead. The report comes as Michael Carrick’s future at United appears uncertain. Club leaders are expected to discuss the manager’s position, with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada and football director Jason Wilcox reportedly due to meet in Monaco. Carrick was still taking training at the club’s Carrington base on Wednesday, according to the article. Pochettino is said to be close to being appointed if United decide to part ways with Carrick. Emery, meanwhile, is reportedly in talks over extending his deal at Aston Villa, where he guided the team to Champions League qualification last season. The report suggests Villa would have resisted an approach from United. Pochettino currently leads the United States national team, which is preparing for a pair of Concacaf Nations League quarter-final matches against Haiti. He is expected to speak to the press on Friday, the article says. He signed a new agreement with the U.S. in the summer that is due to keep him in the role through the 2030 World Cup. According to the report, the deal includes a release clause that Manchester United could use, with a fee of about $10 million (£7.5 million). That amount would rise if the club also wanted to bring Pochettino’s coaching staff with him.