Pochettino set to leave USA role as Manchester United open talks to end Carrick era

Mauricio Pochettino is on the verge of becoming Manchester United’s next manager after the club opened formal talks with the US Soccer Federation over a £7m buy-out clause written into his contract. United’s hierarchy — chief executive Omar Berrada, director of football Jason Wilcox and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe — met in Monaco to finalise their plans, with Michael Carrick expected to be dismissed before any appointment is confirmed.

Pochettino, who signed a new deal with the US federation in August keeping him in post until 2030, has made clear he is ready to accept United’s offer. The Argentine has been linked with the Old Trafford job on three separate occasions over the past decade and, by his own admission, never concealed his desire to return to club management. The buy-out clause in his US contract was understood to have been inserted with exactly that possibility in mind.

The timing of any announcement is complicated by the United States’ two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against Haiti over the coming week, meaning Pochettino’s formal unveiling is unlikely to be immediate. United, however, are hopeful he will be in the dugout well before their Premier League fixture at Liverpool on Sunday week.

While the club considered other candidates — including Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann — it was Pochettino who commanded unanimous support among the decision-makers. His style of play, personality and familiarity with English football, having previously managed Tottenham and Chelsea, were all cited as factors in his favour.

The urgency behind the appointment is underscored by United’s alarming league position. They sit 18th in the Premier League — inside the relegation zone — after winning just one of their opening ten games, with their last victory coming in August. It is the club’s lowest standing at this stage of a top-flight season since 1986-87, when they were 20th.

Carrick was left in a difficult position on Wednesday, turning up to the club’s training ground while the Monaco summit was still under way. Once his departure is confirmed, United expect to move swiftly to finalise the deal with the US federation and bring Pochettino back to the Premier League.