Pochettino is currently the United States manager and is likely to remain in charge of their two games against Haiti during the current international break.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Argentine tactician Mauricio Pochettino looks set to replace Michael Carrick and become Manchester United’s eighth permanent boss since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson 13 years ago.
This follows a meeting in Monaco on Wednesday between chief executive Omar Berrada, director of football Jason Wilcox, and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to review the club’s start to the season.
Prior to the meeting, Carrick was handed a stay of execution after United’s 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League last month, but momentum is now gathering behind a change in the dugout.
According to Sky Sports, Manchester United have now reached a verbal agreement in principle with Pochettino to take over at Old Trafford as head coach.
Although Carrick took training on Wednesday and officially remains United boss, the English tactician is likely to be relieved of his duties before the end of the week.
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He is then set to be replaced by Pochettino, with the Argentine expected to see out his international duties before officially taking the reins in Manchester.
It is understood United are comfortable with that scenario, and talks with US Soccer are set to accelerate over the next 24 hours.
While the Red Devils are keen to bring Pochettino to Old Trafford as soon as possible, the club are understood to be mindful of his commitments to the USA.
United are, however, still finalising details with Pochettino’s camp. They need to discuss the £7m buyout for Pochettino with US Soccer and negotiate terms for his backroom staff.
The red half of Manchester have held talks over appointing Pochettino on three separate occasions prior to this and came close to appointing him a few times, including in 2022 when they hired Erik ten Hag instead.
Ferguson has long admired Pochettino and often had lengthy conversations with the former Spurs boss following his matches against United.
