End of the Carrick era: Manchester United reach agreement with their new manager

Manchester United have moved closer to appointing a new manager to succeed Michael Carrick, the current coach, whose standing has fallen sharply following a collapse in results in the recent period.

Manchester United's board have decided to dispense with Carrick during the current international break. The team's results have been dismal, just two wins in their last 10 Premier League matches, and even that thrilling 4-4 draw against Aston Villa could not save him.

Carrick had taken charge last January, succeeding the Portuguese Ruben Amorim, and earned a two-year contract in May after guiding the side to third place and Champions League qualification. A slump has now thrown his future back into doubt.

He insisted he was not thinking about resigning after the Villa draw. Reports suggest, though, that United's board want the new manager sorted before the trip to face Liverpool at Anfield on 22 November.

"Sky Sports" confirmed today, Wednesday, that United have reached a preliminary agreement with Mauricio Pochettino, the current head coach of the United States national team.

The English club's board are wrapping up negotiations with the United States Soccer Federation, chiefly over the date for Pochettino's arrival at the Red Devils.

The United States play twice during this international break, and Pochettino is expected on the bench on Saturday and Wednesday against Haiti. He could join United straight afterwards, potentially in time for the Liverpool match on Sunday 22 November.

Although tied to a contract with the United States, the Argentine holds a release clause of more than 8 million euros, the sum United must pay to land him.

United's power-brokers are meeting today, Wednesday, at a summit in Monaco, while Michael Carrick keeps turning up for work with his future looking bleak.

Press reports expect United to announce Carrick's dismissal today, down to the slump in results.

The English newspaper "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 this morning, Wednesday.

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 yesterday for a scheduled summit of Ineos officials, and they will put their recommendation to Ratcliffe today. Every indication points to Carrick paying the price for his team's worrying slide towards the relegation zone in the Premier League.

The Old Trafford board, it is understood, want to tell Carrick their decision face to face. That could happen in the coming hours.