Michael Carrick has been sacked as Manchester United head coach with Mauricio Pochettino lined up to replace him.
Carrick departs less than six months after signing a two-year contract having overseen the club’s worst start to a Premier League season with United in the relegation zone after picking up one win in 10 matches.
In a statement on Thursday morning, shortly after Carrick left the training ground, United said they reached “the extremely difficult conclusion that a change is necessary in order to achieve our ambitions”.
United, who reached a full agreement with USA head coach Pochettino, say they intend to appoint a permanent successor “as quickly as possible”. He is set to be the eighth permanent appointment since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
As things stand, the Argentine is likely to remain in charge of the USA for their Nations League against Haiti on Saturday and Wednesday before starting work next Thursday. He is expected to take charge of United’s first game after the international break against Liverpool.
Sky Sports News understands Pochettino has a £7m release clause in his newly-signed contract with the USA. Talks with the United Soccer Federation are at the “paperwork and regulatory processes” stage.