Pochettino tearful as he confirms United move

Mauricio Pochettino fought back tears as he held his first press conference since being confirmed as Michael Carrick’s managerial successor at Manchester United. He said United first contacted him on Sunday afternoon and that he will join the club on 18 November after leaving his USA role at the end of the international break.

Contractual and financial details

Pochettino will leave his USA post at the end of the current international break.

He had signed a four‑year extension in the summer intended to keep him with the United States until the 2030 World Cup.

Manchester United triggered his release clause and will pay US Soccer an initial $7 million (£5.3 million) as compensation.

"It's obvious. I never said I wanted to go back but they know there aren't too many opportunities that happen in your career like Manchester United. When it arrives, it's difficult to turn down," Pochettino said.

We were very committed. It was to help the federation, just in case that didn't work for four years," he added.

He described the decision as one of the most difficult of his career and chose to focus on the United States team and Haiti rather than elaborate on the United move.

"All was so quick. Sunday afternoon, there started to be some contact. We were very transparent with US Soccer," he explained.

It’s much better to talk now about US Soccer," he said.

He will remain in charge of the United States for two Concacaf Nations League fixtures against Haiti, an away match on 14 November and a home match in Cincinnati on 18 November.

His official start at Manchester United is scheduled for 18 November, ahead of the club’s Premier League clash with Liverpool at Anfield on 22 November.

It's Manchester United and the federation agrees on different terms. All of the games are important. We are brave enough to go ahead because we are optimistic and very positive. We need to play tomorrow and the next game. Reportedly, We need to perform," he concluded.

Carrick’s dismissal and the Casemiro factor

Manchester United dismissed Michael Carrick and appointed Mauricio Pochettino as head coach.

The club’s poor start, with only one win and a position in the Premier League relegation zone, contributed to Carrick’s sacking.

Analysts link the dismissal partly to the earlier departure of Brazilian midfielder Casemiro from Old Trafford.

Casemiro’s contract ended at the end of the previous season and he left on a free transfer to Inter Miami.

His absence was felt on set pieces, an area that caused dissatisfaction for sporting director Jason Wilcox.

Last season United led the set‑piece performance metric with 98 points, a figure that combined expected goals and goals per 100 attempts.

In the current season under Carrick, the metric fell to 9 points,

Only one set‑piece goal has been scored in the Premier League this season.

Casemiro had contributed eight set‑piece goals in 2025/26, the most of any United player, accounting for about 27 percent of corner‑derived expected goals.

Four of his set‑piece goals opened the scoring, one equalised and another levelled the match.

His performances earned applause and calls for an additional year from the stands during the season’s final stretch.

His departure was announced in January, already anticipated by INEOS management after the 2022 four‑season signing of Casemiro.

Casemiro earned a salary of 300,000 pounds per week, equivalent to R$ 2.2 million at current rates.

At 34 years old, his wage conflicted with the club’s current recruitment policy.

United’s three midfield signings this season – Youri Tielemans, Carlos Baleba and Andrey Santos – have together scored only one goal, with only one featuring regularly.

Michael Carrick avoided commenting on the club’s transfer market, urging the team to ‘go beyond’.

He did not receive his request for a new centre‑forward, needed after Benjamin Sesko’s injury, nor a left‑back.

The club’s midfield recruitment list had prioritized Elliot Anderson, Mateus Fernandes, Sandro Tonali, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Alex Scott, Éderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi, many of whom joined other clubs.

The three players signed were therefore below the seventh priority on that list, highlighting a lack of clear direction in management.