MAUR, MAUR, MAUR! Pochettino ready to accept offer to replace Carrick as Man Utd boss as Red Devils open talks with USA chiefs amid Monaco summit

Mauricio Pochettino is closing in on a deal to become Manchester United’s next manager. Pochettino has a £7m buy-out clause written into his contract with the US Soccer Federation and he is ready to accept United’s offer.

United have now opened talks with the US Federation but things are unlikely to move until Michael Carrick’s future is resolved.

The United hierarchy are meeting in Monaco where they are expected to decide to part ways with Carrick and then press ahead with a move for Pochettino who has become their unanimous choice.

United chief executive Omar Berrada, director of football Jason Wilcox and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe are discussing the club’s plans but it has left Carrick hanging because he did turn up to the club’s training ground on Wednesday morning.

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There is also an issue for Pochettino because the United States two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against Haiti over the next week.

That means there is unlikely to be an immediate announcement on Pochettino but the US are fully aware of the interest.

Pochettino, who has been linked with the United job on three separate occasions in the past 10 years, signed a new contract in August to stay in charge until 2030.

Argentine Pochettino did a good job with the United States at the World Cup and convinced the federation to give him a new deal until 2030 - but the ex-Spurs and Chelsea boss never hid his desire to return to club management in the future.

That explains his buy-out clause in the contract and United is a huge appeal to Pochettino who loves English football, living in England and this is a job he has found impossible to resist.

United are 18th in the Premier League - inside the relegation zone - after winning just one of their first 10 games and none since August. It is United’s lowest position at this stage of a top-flight season since 1986-87 when they were 20th.

It is understood that, while United looked at other candidates like Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann, it was Pochettino who actually had the most overwhelming support and the decision to move for him will be a unanimous one.

There were reservations with all the other potential candidates and Pochettino’s style of play, personality and charisma have also made him a very popular choice with the fans.

Even though the next few days may drag out over Pochettino’s appointment, the hope is he will be in charge well before United’s next game which is at Liverpool on Sunday week.