Manchester United reach ‘verbal agreement’ with Pochettino to replace Carrick

Manchester United reportedly reached a verbal agreement with current USA coach Mauricio Pochettino on Wednesday to replace Michael Carrick as their manager in a bid to revive the fortunes of the struggling English giants.

Carrick's stay in the Old Trafford dugout looks set to end following United's worst start to a season in 40 years, leaving the club languishing in the Premier League relegation zone after an eight-match winless run.

It is believed Carrick's future will be decided at a meeting attended by influential shareholder Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox in Monaco on Wednesday. Berrada and Wilcox are reportedly leaning towards dismissing former United player Carrick.

Pochettino has extensive experience of the Premier League following spells in charge of Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea and also coached Paris Saint-Germain. It was only three months ago, however, that Pochettino signed a contract extension to remain with the United States through to the 2030 World Cup.

But Sky Sports reported Wednesday that United have "reached a verbal agreement in principle" with Pochettino, who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford on several previous occasions, to become their new head coach.

U.S. Soccer would be due compensation should Pochettino move to Manchester, with the 54-year-old understood to have a $10 million (£7.5 million) release clause. A media event with U.S. Soccer players scheduled for Wednesday was cancelled in observance of Veterans Day, a decision that spared members of Pochettino's squad being asked to comment on his possible exit.

Pochettino is due to hold a press conference on Friday ahead of a CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final with Haiti. Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane lauded his former Tottenham boss ahead of England's UEFA Nations League match against Croatia.

"I can't speak highly enough of him," said Kane. "We'll have to wait and see what happens but I know he's a great guy but also a fantastic manager." Carrick reported for duty at United's Carrington training ground on Wednesday but it appears to be only a matter of time before his turbulent reign comes to an end.

The 45-year-old had a reprieve after he was widely expected to be axed in late October following a 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth. But United were beaten 2-0 at Chelsea, then scrambled a last-gasp 3-2 win against Roma in the Champions League after falling two goals down.

It appeared Carrick would be on the way out when his team twice trailed Aston Villa by two goals on Sunday. When United scored twice in stoppage-time to rescue an improbable 4-4 draw, it could have been another let-off for Carrick ahead of the international break.

After the match, the ex-England international insisted: "I'm pretty clear where we need to go and how we need to get there."