Manchester United are moving closer to hiring Mauricio Pochettino, but they have yet to dismiss Michael Carrick.

Rio Ferdinand criticised how Manchester United have been speaking to managerial candidates while Michael Carrick has continued to take training this week. There was progress made on a deal to hire USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino on Monday and Tuesday, but the current head coach has yet to be dismissed.

Chief executive Omar Berrada and football director Jason Wilcox were in Monaco on Wednesday for meetings with co-owner Jim Ratcliffe. It is understood that Avram and Joel Glazer were involved in those talks, albeit presumably via conference call.

The meeting was pre-arranged, so they would have planned to discuss more than Carrick’s future. But the future of the head coach surely made it an emergency meeting. Without further ado, here is where we are with Carrick and Pochettino, as of Wednesday night.

Mauricio Pochettino to Man Utd is ‘done’

News emerged on Wednesday afternoon via Sky Sports that United have reached a verbal agreement with Pochettino to replace Carrick as head coach. The Argentine coach quickly emerged as the front runner between Monday and Tuesday, but he has been linked with the job multiple times over the years.

The report suggested – at the time – that there were still a few minor details to finalise, but all parties involved believe it will be straightforward. United travel to Anfield to face arch-rivals Liverpool following the November international break.

A new update from The Athletic adds that United have made formal contact with US Soccer, knowing Pochettino’s release clause will be activated on top of the payment required to hire his coaching staff. The overall cost of that is over £10m.

The Sun‘s Samuel Luckhurst claims that Pochettino to United is now a “done” deal. He adds that Avram has signed off on the deal as co-chairman. His report adds that Berrada and Wilcox are back in Manchester following their meetings in Monaco.

Michael Carrick confirmation expected on Thursday

After taking training on Tuesday and Wednesday night, the Daily Mail believes Carrick’s departure is expected to be confirmed on Thursday. Pochettino has taken training with the USMNT, but media access to the players was conveniently cancelled.

Pochettino’s appointment may take longer to confirm, although more talks are scheduled overnight. It is unclear whether he will remain in charge for the USMNT’s two matches during the November international break, but The Athletic’s report stresses that United are comfortable with him carrying out his national team duties before making his return to English football.

The 54-year-old and his USMNT players can’t keep running from the media forever. This is among the biggest stories in world football right now.