Mauricio Pochettino to be proven right over stunning Manchester United prediction after 'verbal agreement'

Mauricio Pochettino has frequently spoken about Manchester United over the years

Mauricio Pochettino can seemingly predict the future - with his prophetic comments about joining Manchester United set to come true.

Man United are closing in on a deal to appoint the former Chelsea and Tottenham manager as their new head coach - with current boss Michael Carrick currently in limbo as he awaits the chop.

Man Utd have already agreed personal terms with their chosen replacement, but still have to contend with extracting the Argentine from his contract with the US Soccer Federation - and dismissing Carrick from his role.

The ink has probably only just dried on the contract, which was penned weeks after Pochettino hinted at his future plans.

During the World Cup, Pochettino was conducting press duties with journalists and Man United came up in conversation, with Pochettino quipping to his long-serving assistant Jesus Perez: “One day, your team comes true! You go to Manchester United.”

The comments from Perez referenced the multiple occasions United passed on Pochettino, with the Argentine unsuccessfully applying for the job in 2018 and 2022.

Spaniard Perez has worked with Pochettino ever since the latter’s first managerial role at Espanyol.

Initially Perez was a fitness coach, before taking a more active role in Pochettino’s coaching set-up at Southampton.

Pochettino has been quite open when discussing links to Manchester United previously, including during his spell as US national team boss. Earlier this year he told L’Equipe that he would be open to a return to the Premier League - despite being employed by the USMNT.

Manchester United will have to contend with compensation to bring Pochettino back to England. The quoted fee in Pochettino’s contract with the USMNT is reportedly $10million (£7.4million), but that does not include any compensation for the Argentine’s backroom staff - including Perez.

The former PSG manager has taken charge of 294 Premier League matches, his last top-flight game in England coming in Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Bournemouth on the last day of the 2023/24 season.