Manchester United in trouble! May field an interim coach for the Liverpool away game if Carrick is dismissed.
Manchester United could face turmoil preparing for the Premier League's big derby against Liverpool on Sunday, 22 November at 23:30 GMT+7, after reports suggested that if Michael Carrick is sacked as head coach, the club might appoint an interim manager to replace him temporarily.
Previously, 45-year-old Carrick faced heavy criticism after leading the Red Devils to a disappointing season, dropping them to 18th place in the Premier League—the relegation zone. As a result, the board plans to meet in Monaco on 11 November to discuss his future.
Recently, multiple English media outlets reported that Carrick could be dismissed within this week, with Mauricio Pochettino, former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea manager, among the favorites to take over.
However, securing Pochettino is challenging since the 54-year-old currently serves as head coach of the U.S. national team and is scheduled to lead them in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals against Haiti in two matches, with the second match in Cincinnati on 17 November.
This means that if Manchester United wants to appoint Pochettino in time for the crucial Anfield match against Liverpool on 22 November, the club must expedite negotiations and finalize all details within a very limited timeframe.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that Manchester United might have to pay a compensation fee as high as £7.5 million to release Pochettino from his contract with the U.S. national team, which currently runs until 2030.
This situation has placed Carrick's future under intense scrutiny, because if a managerial change occurs, Manchester United may have to play the derby with an interim coach instead of a fully appointed new manager.