Michael Carrick has been pictured arriving at Carrington this morning, for the last time as Manchester United manager.

He gave a thumbs-up as he drove into the car park at United’s training ground.

Carrick is expected to be sacked later today in a face-to-face meeting with CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox, who are now back in the UK following their talks with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco yesterday.

The United States look to have a contingency plan for when Mauricio Pochettino leaves for Manchester United.

US Soccer will be disappointed to see the Argentine depart after two years at the helm, having only extended his contract through to 2030 following their run to the World Cup last 16 on home soil in the summer.

There are plenty of reports that the USA will now target Pep Guardiola as their No1 target to succeed Pochettino.

The Spaniard has been out of work since ending his trophy-laden 10-year spell at Manchester City in the summer.

Guardiola previously turned down a first potential foray into international management with Italy in July.

There is a little twist in the Mauricio Pochettino to Manchester United saga, which makes the timeline for his appointment somewhat unclear as things stand.

Reports suggest that the Argentine is likely to remain in charge of the USA for their upcoming two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarter-final tie against Haiti.

The first leg is in Miami on Saturday, with the second fixture to follow in Cincinnati - that latter game is overnight UK time, Tuesday into Wednesday.

That would leave Pochettino with just a few days to arrive at United and get settled in before they face a daunting trip to play fierce rivals Liverpool at Anfield next Sunday (November 22).

The deal to take Mauricio Pochettino to Manchester United as Michael Carrick’s replacement is “done”, reports claim.

The former Chelsea and Tottenham boss is known to have been keen on the Old Trafford hotseat for a long time, having previously spoken to United three times, and is now believed to have agreed personal terms.

United will have to pay $10million (£7.5m) to release him early from his contract as head coach of the United States national team, which was only extended until 2030 following the World Cup on home soil in the summer.

That does not appear to be a problem, though United will have to pay more to hire a familiar backroom team that includes the likes of Pochettino’s long-time assistant Jesus Perez.

The Athletic report that United have now made an official approach to US Soccer for the Argentine, whose appointment is close.

Michael Carrick is expected to be officially sacked by Manchester United today.

It was decided there that Carrick would be dismissed following an abysmal start to the season that has seen United win only one of their first 10 games as they languish in the Premier League relegation zone.

He is expected to be told by Berrada and Wilcox in a face-to-face meeting held at Carrington, where Carrick has been taking training as normal in recent days alongside his staff with the United players who are not currently away on international duty.

An official announcement should then follow.

Manchester United have reached a verbal agreement with Mauricio Pochettino, though he will not start work straight away.

Pochettino emerged as the leading candidate to replace Michael Carrick as manager after Sunday’s 4-4 draw against Aston Villa left the former midfielder on the brink, with Man United sitting in the Premier League relegation zone heading into the international break.

The latest reporting is that while Carrick is due to take Man Utd training on Thursday, as he did on both Tuesday and Wednesday, as per the Athletic, the expectation is he will be relieved of his duties at Old Trafford imminently.

Man United CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are due to return from meetings in Monaco with minority co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and will then inform Carrick of the decision to dismiss him face-to-face.

In the meantime, United are said to have stepped up their pursuit of Pochettino.

It has been widely reported that United have made formal contact with U.S. Soccer, as they look to appoint the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) boss as their next head coach.

This development comes following reports overnight that Pochettino’s representatives spent Tuesday discussing personal terms with club officials.

As the Argentine signed an extension with U.S. Soccer as recently as August to continue in his role as national team manager, United are required to activate the $10million (£7.4million), release clause in the 54-year-old’s contract.

However, while United are now looking to finalise an agreement with both Pochettino and U.S. Soccer to make him Carrick’s successor, there is a further complication.

More on that here!

This is gathering pace!

According to the Athletic, Manchester United have now made make formal contact with US Soccer as Mauricio Pochettino appointment nears

Manchester United appear to have been handed a major boost to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as head coach, with US Soccer identifying a potential replacement.

The former Chelsea and Tottenham boss widely expected to become the next Man United manager, amid reports that talks have already taken place and personal terms close to being finalised.

If appointed, Pochettino would replace Michael Carrick, who remains in post but is expected to be relieved of his duties following a meeting of the United hierarchy that was due to take place in Monaco on Wednesday.

While the Argentine has emerged as United’s No1 option to succeed Carrick, should he make a surprise return to the Premier League, it would leave the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) without a manager.

However, the Athletic have reported that plans are in place to deal with a potential departure as U.S. Soccer is expected to make Pep Guardiola their top target to replace Pochettino.

Guardiola has largely kept a low profile since leaving Manchester City at the end of last season. He was heavily linked with an immediate return to the dugout, but turned down the chance to coach the Italian national side.

Full story here!

Manchester United have now verbally agreed terms in principle with Mauricio Pochettino.

According to reports, negotiations are ongoing with US Federation for Pochettino to become Man United’s new head coach.

Mauricio Pochettino is still expected to take charge of the USA's upcoming games against Haiti.

This is despite heavily links with Manchester United.

The plot thickens...