Fabrizio Romano has dealt Manchester United a blow in their bid to secure Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager and has revealed what Omar Berrada has “already” told him about the January transfer window.

Michael Carrick is still the Manchester United manager and took training on Wednesday as CEO Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox flew out to Monaco for their regularly scheduled meeting with Sir Jim Ratcliffe to ratify the decision to send him packing.

Although Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann were favourites to replace him at Old Trafford, Pochettino has nipped in ahead of them and has reportedly reached a ‘full agreement’ to take the helm.

Romano confirmed an agreement has been struck on his YouTube channel before clarifying that Aston Villa’s Unai Emery was their first choice and that Pochettino is expected to stay in charge of the USMNT for their two games this month before taking over at United. They play Haiti on Saturday and again on Wednesday.

Romano said: “Let’s clarify a couple of things on this one. First of all, I want to confirm once again, and I see it’s being reported today by the English press as well. But I told you for two weeks, Man United tried for Unai Emery, but was not possible to proceed.

“Unai Emery is expected to sign very soon a new contract at Aston Villa. The agreement is very close. I would say at the final stages.

“So all set, all in position for Unai Emery to sign a new contract with Aston Villa and Man United to go for Mauricio Pochettino.

“Secondly, there is an expectation internally at the U.S. men’s national team, Mauricio Pochettino can complete this international break in charge of the U.S. men national team and then travel to England and take over at Manchester United.

“Let’s see if this will be the final verdict. But the expectation as of tonight [Wednesday] is for Pochettino to be in charge of the next few games with USA and then join Man United.

“Also, out of respect for the U.S. men national team, because obviously to find a solution now with the games upcoming in the next few days would be difficult to find another obviously another alternative. And so Pochettino ready to help for the next few games, and then sign with United.

“The agreement between Mauricio Pochettino, his lawyers, and Manchester United is done. Verbally agreed, closed, completed. So the contract, the staff, everything. They are closing on every single detail.

“Pochettino said yes in the afternoon. The contract was ready in the evening, night, and now working on the formal steps.

“Man Utd made an approach with the U.S. Man National Team Federation to have a conversation on all the details about the release clause. Obviously, United were made aware of the $10 million release clause of Mauricio Pochettino in the conversation they had with his camp, with his lawyers.

“In case they want to get also some members of the staff of Mauricio Pochettino, Manchester United will also have to pay a little bit more. That’s not a difference from $10m to $15m, or from $10m to $20m, but still a little bit money to get part of the staff of Mauricio Pochettino.”

Pochettino being unable to take the reins until this time next week at the earliest will be a blow to United as he will have a maximum of three days to get his feet under the table ahead of a trip to Anfield of all places to take on Liverpool on Sunday 22 November.

Although Pochettino is yet to sign his Man Utd contract, Romano says that he’s already held conversations with the hierarchy – likely Berrada, who’s been the point of contact throughout the process – over moves in the January transfer window.

Romano added: “In the first meetings they will have with the club, they will discuss, and that’s something they already mentioned in the first contacts had between Pochettino United, they already said very soon we will have specific meetings regarding the January transfer window.

“He’s not the kind of manager who says, ‘Okay, give me the players, I will take care of them’. Pochettino is very good also at taking care of what he has.

“He’s a coach that, especially at Tottenham, showed that he can do very good things with players that are not constantly changing.

“But at the same time, Pochettino likes to be involved. Pochettino likes to have his say, and in this case, I expect Pochettino to be involved with Man United because they need to change.

“Already in January, they need to do something. Could be two, could be three, could be one. I don’t know. We will see. But United will sign players in January. I can guarantee that because that’s part of the strategy at the club, regardless of who’s going to be the coach.

“Now with Pochettino, who’s a manager who likes to be involved, I think this is going to be the direction of travel. So we will be following that because obviously it’s an important part of the story.”