Carrick still takes training. For now.
Michael Carrick ran Wednesday’s session at Carrington. Officially, he is still the man in charge. In practice, the ground under him has already moved.
Manchester United have struck a verbal agreement in principle with Mauricio Pochettino to become their next head coach, Sky Sports News reported in the last hour. The talks that were described as advanced this morning have now produced a deal on the main terms.
The sequence from here looks set. Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox spent the day in Monaco with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe for a pre-planned review of the season. Once they are back, Carrick is expected to be relieved of his duties before the end of the week. Pochettino’s appointment would be confirmed some time after that.
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A USA problem to solve first
There is still a loose end across the Atlantic. Pochettino remains head coach of the United States and could stay in the dugout for both of their games against Haiti, on Saturday and next Wednesday, unless United and US Soccer agree an earlier release. His contract, signed after the World Cup, carries a release clause of around £7m. United are not believed to see that figure as an obstacle.
US Soccer cancelled its scheduled player media session on Wednesday in observance of Veterans Day, so nobody in the American camp had to field questions about their coach’s likely exit.
Ten years of near misses
This would make Pochettino the eighth permanent manager at Old Trafford since Sir Alex Ferguson retired 13 years ago. It would also close a loop that has been open for a decade. United held talks with him on three previous occasions, and came close more than once, notably in 2022 before they went for Erik ten Hag.
The 54-year-old has been out of the Premier League since Chelsea let him go two years ago. He is said to love the USA job but feels this is one offer he cannot turn down.
What he walks into is a mess. United’s run since the 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth last month bought Carrick time, not answers. The next fixture on the list is Liverpool away on November 22.
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