Michael Carrick arrived at Carrington at 7.50am on Thursday for what is expected to be the final time, with the Manchester United head coach set to be sacked in face-to-face talks with club bosses that morning.
Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox returned from Monaco last night, having decided on Monday that they had lost faith in Carrick's ability to turn United's fortunes around. The pair had flown to Monaco to present the recommendation to dismiss the club's former midfielder to co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Decision made in Monaco
That meeting happened on Wednesday, with the Glazer family also involved, and Berrada and Wilcox flew back from Nice yesterday evening, arriving in Manchester just after 8pm. They are due at the training ground on Thursday morning, having insisted on delivering the news to Carrick in person.
It has become abundantly clear his time is up over the last few days, despite his bosses allowing him to take training while they work to appoint his replacement.
Pochettino lined up as replacement
United have now made contact with officials at the US Soccer Federation to agree the terms of an exit package for 54-year-old Mauricio Pochettino, with the Argentine set to replace Carrick.
Pochettino was still coaching the USA men's national team on Wednesday, but personal terms over a move to Old Trafford have been agreed. He has a $10million (£7.5million) release clause in his contract, but he will bring several members of his coaching team with him, which could affect the final compensation bill.
US duties uncertain
Talks are also ongoing over whether Pochettino remains with the US side for their Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against Haiti, which is set to be played over two legs this week. The first game will take place at 9.30pm on Saturday, UK time, and the second leg in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
