Mauricio Pochettino and Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe stand together at Old Trafford.
Mauricio Pochettino and Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe stand together at Old Trafford.
The Argentine is a long-term target for the Old Trafford hierarchy, and they view him as a clear option once again to potentially replace Carrick.
The 54-year-old penned a new contract with the USA national team in the summer, which is understood to potentially make it a "difficult" appointment for United to line up.
Nevertheless, sources say that the Red Devils will do their "due diligence" on Pochettino in a bid to discover whether they can break that contract.
The Manchester giants are still assessing Carrick's long-term future, but that hasn't stopped them from exploring other options.
The likes of Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann have been heavily linked in recent weeks, and now Pochettino is also in the frame.
Man United could finally land Mauricio Pochettino
Pochettino has been on United's radar for several years now, and he has been linked with the top job at Old Trafford many times before.
However, his move to take charge of the USA national team has served as a major change of direction for his career.
The former Tottenham boss is no stranger to links for a return to the Premier League, and was even tipped to move back to Spurs at times last season.
United are keen to delve deeper into his situation in the USA, but they may find it difficult to prise him away from that role.
His new deal has tied him down until 2030 in theory, which would not make it a cheap deal for United to do.
Man United ready to pounce on Rayan Ait Nouri
Football Insider revealed last week that United may find it difficult to sign Manchester City left-back Rayan Ait Nouri unless he "pushes" for a move in January.
Carrick and Co. are desperate to bring in a new left-back, and have turned their attention towards the 25-year-old, who is yet to make a single Premier League appearance this season.
Nevertheless, a deal is understood to be difficult for United at this stage due to the bitter rivalry between the two clubs.
Ait Nouri is expected to have to push for the move to Old Trafford himself in order for City to consider granting it.