Pochettino close to leading Manchester United after years of waiting

Manchester United are set to sign Argentine Mauricio Pochettino, the current head coach of the United States national team, to take over the team from Michael Carrick if a decision is made to sack him, amid a decline in results and the team's distance from the expected level in recent times.

The Athletic has revealed that Manchester United's management has placed Mauricio Pochettino at the top of their list of candidates to succeed Carrick, after the team managed only three victories in their last 15 matches across all competitions.

According to the report, club officials spent Tuesday negotiating with representatives of Argentine coach Maurício regarding personal terms, amid expectations that there would be no major obstacles to completing the agreement. However, United's management has not yet begun communication with the United States Soccer Federation, despite the necessity to pay the buyout clause in Pochettino's contract, which amounts to around $10 million, equivalent to £7.4 million.

The coaching staff is expected to join the Argentine manager at Old Trafford once the deal is completed, which will result in the club bearing additional compensation.

Maurício Pochettino, 54, is under contract with the United States national team until the FIFA World Cup 2030, but he has shown on multiple occasions his desire to coach Manchester United. He is also excited about returning to English football, having previously managed Tottenham and Chelsea.

The Argentine coach took charge of the United States national team in 2024, succeeding Gregg Berhalter, after the team was eliminated in the group stage of the Copa América. Since then, he has achieved 21 victories in 35 matches.

Maurício led the US national team to the Round of 16 in the last FIFA World Cup, achieving three victories in the first four matches before suffering a defeat against Belgium by a score of 1-4.