Carrick arrives at Carrington as Man Utd prepare to confirm his sacking

Michael Carrick arrived at Manchester United’s Carrington training complex at 7.50am on Thursday morning for what is expected to be his final meeting as the club’s manager, with his sacking set to be confirmed in person by the club’s hierarchy.

United CEO Omar Berrada, Director of Football Jason Wilcox, and co-owner Jim Ratcliffe met in Monaco on Wednesday to discuss Carrick’s future following a dismal run of results. Berrada and Wilcox presented a recommendation that a change in the dugout was necessary — a recommendation that is believed to have been accepted before the pair flew back to Manchester at around 8pm, according to the Manchester Evening News.

Old Trafford’s leadership were insistent that any decision be delivered to Carrick face to face rather than over the phone. The 45-year-old continued to take training on Monday and Tuesday before players not on international duty were given time off.

Carrick was only permanently appointed in the summer after initially stepping in as interim manager in January, replacing Ruben Amorim. He earned a two-year contract by transforming the club’s fortunes and securing a return to the Champions League. However, just one Premier League win from 10 games has cost him the confidence of Berrada, Wilcox, and Ratcliffe, who now face the task of appointing a third permanent manager in under 12 months.

Mauricio Pochettino is the frontrunner to take charge, with United officials working to agree an exit package with the current United States national team manager. Personal terms between Pochettino and United are reported to have been agreed, and the club has made contact about triggering the $10 million (£7.5 million) release clause in his contract — a fee set to rise further once terms are finalised for a number of his assistants.

Pochettino’s arrival in Manchester could be delayed, however. There is a possibility he remains with the USA for their Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against Haiti, a two-legged tie whose second leg is not scheduled until the early hours of Wednesday morning. That scenario would leave the incoming manager with precious little time to prepare his squad for a Premier League away fixture at Liverpool.