The Argentine has made it clear he would accept an offer from the fallen giants to become their third permanent manager of 2026

Mauricio Pochettino has agreed to replace Michael Carrick as the next Manchester United boss. And Pochettino is expected to take charge in time for United's crunch clash with Liverpool after the international break.

United sounded out the Argentine earlier this week, and he made it clear he would accept an offer from the fallen giants to become their third permanent manager of 2026.

United will make an official approach to the US Soccer Federation once Carrick's future has been resolved.

Carrick is poised to be dismissed within the next 24 hours, following a meeting in Monaco between co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and senior executives Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox.

In farcical scenes, Carrick took training as usual today, despite knowing Pochettino has been lined up to replace him.

United will have to pay £7m in compensation to land Pochettino, who only signed a new deal as USA boss in August. Carrick is due to receive around £5m in compensation himself.

Pochettino still views the United job as one of the biggest in world football, despite the club's continued decline. And he will waste no time in discussing transfer targets ahead of the January window.

United have spoken to Pochettino three times in the past about becoming manager. But despite talks taking place in 2018, 2022 and 2024, he was never appointed.

The USA have a two-legged CONCAF Nations League quarter final against Haiti over the coming week. But it's doubtful Pochettino will be in charge, while US Soccer cancelled planned media access with players scheduled for today, to avoid them being asked about their manager's impending exit.

Carrick is said to be devastated by the prospect of being sacked. He led United to Champions League qualification in the second half of last season and penned a permanent two-year-deal in May.

But this season has turned into a complete disaster, with United slumping to 18th in the table following one win in 10 league games - the club's lowest position at this stage of a campaign since 1986.