Mauricio Pochettino has agreed to become the next Manchester United manager, replacing Michael Carrick, and is expected to take charge in time for the club's match against Liverpool after the international break.
United sounded out the Argentine earlier this week, and he made it clear he would accept an offer to become their third permanent manager of 2026. An official approach to the US Soccer Federation will follow once Carrick's future has been resolved.
Carrick dismissal imminent
Carrick is poised to be dismissed within the next 24 hours, following a meeting in Monaco between co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and senior executives Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox. In farcical scenes, Carrick took training as usual, despite knowing Pochettino has been lined up to replace him.
United will have to pay £7m in compensation to land Pochettino, who only signed a new deal as USA boss in August. Carrick is due to receive around £5m in compensation himself.
Pochettino's long-standing interest
Pochettino still views the United job as one of the biggest in world football, despite the club's continued decline. He will waste no time in discussing transfer targets ahead of the January window.
United have spoken to Pochettino three times in the past about becoming manager, with talks taking place in 2018, 2022 and 2024, but he was never appointed.
USA commitments and United's struggles
The USA have a two-legged CONCACAF Nations League quarter final against Haiti over the coming week, but it is doubtful Pochettino will be in charge. US Soccer cancelled planned media access with players scheduled for today, to avoid them being asked about their manager's impending exit.
Carrick is said to be devastated by the prospect of being sacked. He led United to Champions League qualification in the second half of last season and penned a permanent two-year deal in May. This season has turned into a complete disaster, with United slumping to 18th in the table following one win in 10 league games - the club's lowest position at this stage of a campaign since 1986.
