United chiefs arrive at Carrington to sack Carrick as Pochettino deal nears completion

Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox arrived at the club’s Carrington training ground on Thursday morning for talks widely expected to result in the dismissal of manager Michael Carrick. Berrada entered the facility at 8.30am, with Wilcox following through a separate gate five minutes later, after both men flew back from a pre-planned summit with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco the previous evening.

The decision to sack Carrick was effectively made on Monday, according to reports, following a wretched start to the Premier League season that has left United in the relegation zone after ten games — with just one league win to their name. The 45-year-old had continued to take training on Tuesday and Wednesday while his superiors were in the south of France, and it remained unclear on Thursday morning whether he would lead a third successive session before being formally dismissed.

The Glazers were also involved in discussions over Carrick’s future, with the club’s ownership structure meaning multiple stakeholders had a say in the timing of the move.

United have already lined up Mauricio Pochettino as Carrick’s replacement, with personal terms between the Argentine and the club reported to be agreed. The 54-year-old currently holds the head coaching role with the United States men’s national team and carries a $10 million (£7.5 million) release clause in his contract. Pochettino is expected to bring several members of his coaching staff with him to Old Trafford, a factor that could increase the overall compensation package owed to US Soccer.

United have made contact with officials at the US Soccer Federation to negotiate the terms of an exit, though talks are ongoing over whether Pochettino will remain in charge of the USA for their upcoming Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against Haiti, scheduled across two legs this week.