Source: Man United does 'due diligence' on Pochettino becoming its next coach

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United is working on a potential deal to have U.S. men’s team coach Mauricio Pochettino to replace Michael Carrick, who is under pressure after a dismal start to the season, a source with knowledge of the situation said Wednesday.

United is in 18th place in the Premier League standings after 10 rounds, the club's worst start in the modern era.

Pochettino is a candidate to succeed Carrick, even though the 54-year-old Argentine is under contract with the U.S. team through the 2030 World Cup.

A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that preparations to appoint Pochettino had been carried out as a matter of “due diligence." The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because no final decision has been made on Carrick's future.

Julian Nagelsmann, Eddie Howe and Antonio Conte have also been reported to be options in recent weeks.

It is not uncommon for clubs weigh up potential candidates and reach out to intermediaries before deciding to fire a coach.

Pochettino, who has previously coached Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea in the Premier League, took over the U.S. team in October 2024 and led it to the round of 16 at this year’s World Cup.

He was a leading candidate for Manchester United in 2022 when Erik ten Hag was ultimately hired.

Pochettino won the French title with Paris Saint-Germain in 2022, but arguably his greatest achievement was turning Tottenham into a serial title contender in the Premier League and also leading the London club to the Champions League final in 2019.

He has never won a major trophy in England, most recently losing in the final of the English League Cup with Chelsea in 2024.

Carrick, who said Sunday that he would not walk away from the job, was due to lead training Wednesday despite increased speculation over his position. United opted against firing him last month, deciding to give him time to turn around a wretched start to the season, but Sunday's 4-4 draw with Aston Villa left the 20-time English champion in the relegation zone with just one win from 10 games.

James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson

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Manchester United's head coach Michael Carrick applauds supporters after the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Aston Villa in Manchester, England, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Hodgson)

FILE - United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino arrives for the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Maddy Grassy, File)

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Portugal closed all schools and shuttered non-essential public services on Wednesday as a major Atlantic storm headed for the country's mainland.

Streets remained largely deserted ahead of the arrival of Storm Charles after the government told people to stay at home as heavy rain and rough seas were expected to batter the Portuguese coast, with wind gusts of up to 140 kph (85 mph).

It was the first time in living memory that Portugal’s roughly 8,000 schools had canceled classes nationwide over a storm forecast.

Buses without passengers drove through the country's capital, Lisbon, where some streets flooded due to clogged drains. A national supermarket chain closed its stores, while an international technology conference in Lisbon attended by around 70,000 people called off the day's events.

In January, the country's center-right government faced harsh criticism for its weak response when Storm Kristin hit central Portugal, felling thousands of trees and causing widespread property damage that is still being repaired.

The brunt of Storm Charles was expected to hit the Atlantic coast on Wednesday afternoon and evening, coming from the southwest after it had struck the Portuguese island of Madeira on Tuesday with 130 kph (81 mph) winds.

A person sits at the Graca viewpoint overlooking downtown Lisbon under rain clouds, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, as Portugal gets ready for the arrival of Storm Charles expected to bring heavy rain and wind gusts. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

Attendees retrieve their umbrellas from the Web Summit technology conference venue in Lisbon, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, as Portugal gets prepared for the arrival of Storm Charles, prompting the organizers to cancel the second day of the event on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)