Pochettino closes in on Manchester United job with Anfield debut looming

Mauricio Pochettino is on the verge of becoming Manchester United’s new head coach after Michael Carrick was sacked on Thursday morning, leaving the club 18th in the Premier League table just three months into the season.

Carrick’s dismissal came after three days of speculation following a 4-4 draw with Aston Villa that proved to be his final match in charge. The Old Trafford hierarchy moved swiftly, and attention has immediately turned to his replacement.

Pochettino, who has previously managed Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain, is the overwhelming favourite to take over. The Argentine is currently in charge of the United States Men’s National Team and is contracted to US Soccer until the 2030 World Cup, but reports indicate he has already reached a verbal agreement with United. The club have made contact with US Soccer over a compensation package, with figures reportedly reaching as high as $10m (£7.4m).

The timing of Pochettino’s arrival at Carrington hinges on his obligations with the USMNT. The United States have two Nations League fixtures scheduled for 14 and 18 November, and Pochettino is expected to oversee both matches. Should he fulfil those commitments, he could report to United’s training ground as early as Wednesday 19 November — leaving him with just a matter of days to prepare his squad before United’s next Premier League fixture.

That fixture is a daunting one: a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool on Sunday 22 November. With United sitting in the relegation zone, the game carries significant urgency, and whoever takes charge will need a result to prevent the club from sinking deeper into trouble.

There is an alternative scenario in which Pochettino departs the US camp before the Haiti fixtures and arrives at Carrington sooner, potentially giving him up to nine days with the squad if his appointment is confirmed imminently. However, the more likely outcome, based on current reports, is that he honours his international commitments before making the switch.

United are expected to formally confirm the appointment once compensation terms with US Soccer are finalised.