Manchester United are said to be edging closer to appointing Mauricio Pochettino, even though the club has not yet completed the process of deciding whether to remove current manager Michael Carrick.

According to reports, chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Jason Wilcox have already concluded that a change is needed. The pair, after celebrating United’s stoppage-time equalizer against Aston Villa on Sunday, then travelled to Monaco to present their position to co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The steps required to settle Carrick’s fate remain in motion.

United’s preference, however, has become clear. The Athletic reports that Pochettino is the leading candidate and is now in advanced negotiations with the club. Other names, including Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte, had been discussed, but Pochettino is viewed as the preferred option.

United still have to agree terms with the former Tottenham Hotspur boss and have not yet spoken to U.S. Soccer, which suggests the talks are being handled carefully. Mike Keegan of The Overlap has reported that there is discussion over whether Pochettino will remain in charge of the USMNT for their two upcoming Nations League quarterfinal matches against Haiti this month before moving on to United for the trip to Liverpool on Nov. 22.

It has also been widely reported that United would need to pay around $10 million to release Pochettino from his USMNT agreement, with “millions more” potentially required to bring his trusted assistants with him. One of those assistants, Jesús Pérez, was previously involved in a trip to Manchester to visit the National Football Museum during time off while the pair were at Tottenham Hotspur.

During a World Cup media session over the summer, Pochettino joked to Pérez: “One day your dream comes true. You go to Manchester United.” Pérez replied: “United should have got you.” Pochettino answered: “Future, future!”

For now, Carrick is still employed by Manchester United. He took training on Tuesday and Wednesday as normal, arriving early to oversee work for players not on international duty.

Manchester United’s search for a midfield solution has led them to Barcelona’s Fermín López, but the Spanish club are not expected to make any deal straightforward.

The Daily Mail reports that United view the 23-year-old as a serious option as they weigh up an ambitious move. Fermín’s output last season underlined why he has drawn interest, with 13 goals and 17 assists across all competitions. He has already added five goals and four assists this season, further strengthening his reputation as a creative midfielder who can also arrive in the box.

That profile helps explain why he is being discussed as a possible long-term successor to Bruno Fernandes. The United captain is out of contract at the end of the season, although there is an option for another 12 months in the deal.

The report places Fermín’s valuation at around £70 million ($94 million), though Barcelona may still resist even at that level. Interest in the midfielder has been building for weeks, with several clubs across Europe said to be monitoring his situation at Camp Nou. Chelsea remain among those who have tracked him closely, after an unsuccessful bid of €40 million ($45 million) last summer.

Despite the noise around his future, Fabrizio Romano says there is no doubt inside Barcelona. Club officials are said to view him as a central figure now and later, while the player himself is understood to be very happy after signing a new five-year contract with the La Liga leaders.

The report states Fermín will “100%” remain with Barcelona.

If United are indeed looking at him as a Fernandes replacement, they may need to turn to other names. The same report suggests that, should the club have the budget to explore this level of signing, alternatives could include Como’s Nico Paz or Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest.

Manchester United are weighing up a broad list of options as pressure grows on Michael Carrick, with Eddie Howe among the most credible names in the frame.

At 48, Howe has spent much of the last decade on shortlists across England. His work at Bournemouth first drew wide attention, before he guided Newcastle United into the Champions League. For a United side searching for a manager with Premier League pedigree, that background would carry obvious appeal.

Should United decide to move on from Carrick and open the door to Howe, one possible line-up begins with Senne Lammens in goal. United are said to have no wish to part with him, and his composure would suit almost any manager.

At right back, Jules Koundé is a logical fit. United are expected to prioritise defence in upcoming transfer windows, and Howe would likely value a defender who can push on but also step into central areas when required.

The centre of defence would have Leny Yoro alongside Castello Lukeba. Howe has long favoured athletic defenders, and Yoro’s development could accelerate under him. Lukeba fits the profile United would want, particularly with Lisandro Martínez expected to leave. A move for Newcastle’s Dan Burn, to add experience, would not be surprising.

Lewis Hall at left back also stands out. United want him, and Howe was the manager who handed him his chance at Newcastle, which would make that route especially straightforward.

In midfield, Kobbie Mainoo would suit Howe’s need for a tempo-setter, with Carlos Baleba offering the box-to-box running the system demands. Bruno Fernandes would also remain involved, even if he is not an obvious Howe player. As the draft notes, he would be given freedom to advance rather than stay in a deeper role, where he struggled under Ruben Amorim.

The attacking shape would include Bryan Mbeumo on the right. He was a player Howe wanted at Newcastle in 2025, and his athleticism and work rate make him a natural fit for the role.