Mauricio Pochettino to sign two-and-a-half year contract at Manchester United

Mauricio Pochettino is set to sign a two-and-a-half year deal to succeed Michael Carrick at Manchester United.

United are set to pay the buyout in the Argentine’s United States contract — worth in the region of $10million (£7.4m) — after they identified him as their preferred choice to replace the outgoing head coach.

Carrick and his coaching staff were finally relieved of their duties on Thursday morning, paving the way for Pochettino, the former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea manager, to take his place.

The deal is still subject to completion, sources briefed on the negotiations speaking anonymously to protect relationships say, but should all progress as planned the 54-year-old will sign a contract at Old Trafford until 2029.

An announcement could come as soon as Friday, with Pochettino expected to take charge of the USMNT for both Concacaf Nations League quarter-final legs against Haiti, on Saturday and Tuesday, before arriving in Manchester ahead of United’s next game, against Liverpool at Anfield on November 22.

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United sit 18th and in the relegation zone after a dismal run of just one win in 10 Premier League games this season that ultimately cost Carrick his position.

The former midfielder was only hired on a permanent basis back in May but lasted only 16 games in the job.

Pochettino’s arrival will see him return to English football where he previously spent time in spells with Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea before turning to the international game with the USMNT in September 2024.

He will leave the U.S. after just over two years in the role, having guided the tournament co-hosts to the last-16 of a home World Cup in the summer.