Man United close to Mauricio Pochettino as decision over Michael Carrick nears

Manchester United are close to agreeing a deal with Mauricio Pochettino to become head coach if the club decide to dismiss Michael Carrick, sources reported on Wednesday, with Carrick arriving at United’s Carrington training facility at around 7.45 a.m. on the same day.

United are preparing to split ways with Carrick and have identified Pochettino as a potential replacement after negotiations reportedly progressed; the club will decide whether to proceed amid growing concern over their start to the season.

Mauricio Pochettino is currently the United States manager and his recently signed contract would require Manchester United to pay almost £7 million to buy him out, a fee the club do not view as prohibitive; Pochettino is reportedly ready to take the job and is scheduled to lead the United States against Haiti on Saturday.

Club decision-makers are set to meet at a conference in Monaco on Wednesday to determine Carrick’s future while he remains in Manchester, with United’s director of football Jason Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada due to hold discussions related to the team’s start to the season.

Wilcox and Berrada had been scheduled to meet minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe for a summit to review United’s performances, and any recommendation on Carrick must be taken to Ratcliffe, who oversees football operations at Old Trafford.

Carrick, the 45-year-old former midfielder, was given a two-year contract in May after an interim spell following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal in January, but he now faces the prospect of being removed from his role less than six months into that deal.

Manchester United have won only three of their 15 games in all competitions, sit 18th in the Premier League relegation zone after what the club describe as their worst league start in 40 years, and expect to make a final decision on Carrick’s future by tomorrow.