Why is Michael Carrick's sacking linked to Harry Kane's Manchester United arrival?

Everything is set for Mauricio Pochettino to become the new manager of Manchester United, and Michael Carrick will be officially informed of the decision on Thursday, multiple news reports said.

The Premier League club is in the process of getting in touch with the United States Men's National Team (USMNT), Pochettino’s current employers, regarding their intention to activate his $10m release clause. 

The Argentine suddenly emerged as the favourite to take over from Carrick as the deal reportedly looked cheaper than the board had thought. Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte were the frontrunners to land the job before Pochettino became part of the equation.

Meanwhile, speculation is rife that Harry Kane may sign for Manchester United following the arrival of Pochettino. The English forward became an elite striker at Tottenham and shares a special bond with the gaffer. Also, United have been linked with the England captain for some time now.

Harry Kane to Manchester United?

The 33-year-old Kane recently signed a new deal with Bayern Munich, which will keep him in Germany until 2029. Kane moved to Bayern from Tottenham in 2023 for a record €100m fee and has scored 156 goals in 161 competitive games so far, winning two Bundesliga titles and a DFB-Pokal.

His trophy cabinet finally started filling up following a move away from England, but the national team captain still has unfinished business back on home soil.

With 213 goals, Kane is the second-most successful goalscorer in the English top tier. He is only behind Alan Shearer's tally of 260—a record he could have realistically broken had he not left England. So, English media reports claim Kane may make a comeback so that he can claim the record for himself before hanging up his boots.

Pochettino's system works perfectly for Kane, and a reunion with his former gaffer may make the mission easier for the striker. If Pochettino wins over the United board and stays for a couple of seasons, Kane may ultimately join him at Old Trafford, the reports said. As things stand, it seems realistic—given that the striker's Bayern deal runs down in due time.

Fanning the flames, Kane himself talked about his former gaffer taking over Manchester United. "Mauricio and I have a fantastic relationship. He is one of the managers who has had the biggest impact on my career. I needed his support and he helped me both on and off the pitch, which was very good," Kane said on Wednesday at a press conference ahead of the match against Croatia in the Nations League.

"He is a fantastic coach. He has managed some of the best clubs in the world. I couldn't speak more highly of him. Now we have to wait and see what happens, but he is a great person and a great coach," Kane reportedly added.

End of the road for Carrick?

Pochettino, who has previously coached Southampton, Tottenham, and Chelsea in the Premier League, took over the US team in October 2024 and led it to the round of 16 at this year's World Cup. He was a leading candidate for 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 serious title contender in the Premier League and leading the London club to the Champions League final in 2019. He has never won a major trophy in England, most recently losing the final of the English League Cup with Chelsea in 2024.

Carrick, who said on Sunday that he would not walk away from the job, was due to lead training on 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 champions in the relegation zone with just one win from 10 games.

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