Can Man United afford Mauricio Pochettino? Compensation info as Premier League strugglers eye USMNT boss

Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as a man in demand amid Manchester United's latest crisis. Red Devils boss Michael Carrick is understood to be on the brink of losing his job, with United spending the November international break in the relegation zone after one win out of 10 in the Premier League this season.

Former Newcastle manager Eddie Howe and ex-Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmannwere the names in the framewhen speculation over Carrick's future gathered pace in the aftermath of adispiriting 3-0 loss to Bournemouth. Since Sunday's crazy 4-4 draw with Aston Villa, several reports in the UK have identified Pochettino as being among the frontrunners, as United CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox prepare for talks with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco this week.

It is not the first time Pochettino has been touted as a potential United manager, having been linked when Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer departed in 2018 and 2021 respectively. This time, Pochettino is settled in his job in charge of the United States men's national team and recently signed a new contract after a solid performance at the World Cup.

This will have a key influence over whatever happens next.