Manchester United nears Pochettino deal as Carrick reports for work

Manchester United is close to agreeing a deal for Mauricio Pochettino to become its next head coach, if the club decides to part company with Michael Carrick. The United States coach is being lined up as Carrick’s successor as the club prepares for the possibility of a change in charge.

Carrick arrived at United’s Carrington training ground at around 7.45am on Wednesday. Talks with Pochettino were already advanced, with Carrick’s future due to be discussed at a meeting in Monaco on Wednesday. Pochettino is understood to be ready to take the job if Manchester United ultimately opts for a change, an outcome that remains likely.

There is also a financial consideration: the club would have to pay around £7m to release Pochettino from his newly signed contract with the United States. That amount is not thought to be an obstacle. Pochettino has spoken about the possibility of ending a contract: “Now we are thinking of spending four years with the USA but you can always break a contract, say you stop, and that’s it, you agree something,” he said.

Carrick’s situation comes amid a difficult period for Manchester United. The club is in the relegation zone after its worst start to a league campaign in 40 years. It is 18th in the Premier League, with just one win from its first 10 matches and none since August.

At Monaco, Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox have to make a recommendation to Jim Ratcliffe, who controls football operations at Old Trafford, before a final decision is made on Carrick. Pochettino, a former manager of Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea, renewed his contract with the United States in August. The team has a two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against Haiti over the coming week.