Manchester United have moved closer to appointing a new manager to succeed Michael Carrick, whose standing has fallen sharply after a collapse in results. According to Sky Sports, United have reached a preliminary agreement with Mauricio Pochettino, the current head coach of the United States national team, to take over.
United's board have decided to dispense with Carrick during the current international break. The team has won just two of its last 10 Premier League matches, and not even a 4-4 draw against Aston Villa was enough to save him. Carrick had taken charge last January, succeeding Ruben Amorim, and was handed a two-year contract in May after guiding the side to third place and Champions League qualification. He said after the Villa draw that he was not thinking about resigning.
Reports suggest United's board want the new manager appointed before the trip to face Liverpool at Anfield on 22 November. United's board are now finalising negotiations with the United States Soccer Federation, chiefly over the date of Pochettino's arrival. The Argentine is tied to a contract with the US federation but holds a release clause of more than 8 million euros, the fee United would need to pay to sign him.
The United States play twice during this international break, and Pochettino is expected to remain on the bench for matches against Haiti on Saturday and Wednesday. He could then join United immediately afterwards, potentially in time for the Liverpool fixture on Sunday 22 November.
A Decisive Meeting in Monaco
United's power-brokers are meeting on Wednesday at a summit in Monaco, while Carrick continues reporting for work with his future uncertain. Press reports expect United to announce his dismissal on Wednesday because of the slump in results.
The Daily Mail reported that Carrick, the 45-year-old United coach, gave a thumbs up to photographers as he arrived at the club's Carrington training ground on Wednesday morning.
Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are set to meet Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco to decide Carrick's fate. Both men travelled to the south of France the day before for a scheduled summit of Ineos officials and are expected to put their recommendation to Ratcliffe on Wednesday. Every indication points to Carrick paying the price for United's slide towards the relegation zone in the Premier League. United's board are understood to want to tell Carrick of their decision face to face, which could happen in the coming hours.
