Manchester United are set to enter a new era at Old Trafford, as they close in on the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino to replace Michael Carrick.

The Red Devils are expected to sack manager Michael Carrick this week after he led the team to just one win in 10 Premier League games so far this season, leaving the team 18th in the table heading into the international break.

GIVEMESPORT sources understand that United chiefs have reached an agreement on personal terms with Pochettino, with the contract he signed with the USMNT in the summer to continue as their manager until 2030 containing a $10m (£7.4m) release clause. The Argentine is keen to take over at Old Trafford.

Should he sign on the dotted line to be the man in the dugout, Pochettino will have some major issues to sort out. A number of defensive signings are needed in 2027, with INEOS reportedly planning a rebuild in the summer.

That leads on from Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw all being out of contract at the end of the current season, while there are doubts about the long-term futures of Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs De Ligt, and Diogo Dalot, who was booed off by fans in the 4-4 draw against Aston Villa last weekend.

There is also a need to bolster the attack. Joshua Zirkzee's future looks bleak, Marcus Rashford will be entering the final year of his contract, Amad hasn't scored a goal in almost a full calendar year, and Bruno Fernandes' contract is set to expire, with talks over an extension having stalled.

A Bruno exit is not something the club will be hoping for, but it is certainly more possible now than it was a few months ago. There is said to be interest from a number of clubs in Europe and in Saudi Arabia, while the player himself could be tempted considering his age.

Should he move on, then replacing his goals and assists would immediately need to become a priority for the recruitment department. Players like Nico Paz and Morgan Gibbs-White have been linked with stepping up to the plate, but the strongest link has come in the shape of Chelsea sensation Cole Palmer.

The former Man City academy star grew up as a Man Utd fan and was understood to be open to making the move to Old Trafford last summer, before Fernandes committed his future to United, and he then signed a new extension at Stamford Bridge.

But it was Pochettino who took Palmer to Stamford Bridge and coached him to become one of the franchise players in the division, and a reunion could be something beneficial to both players.

Palmer Can Be Face of New Man Utd

Since moving to Chelsea, Palmer has thrived as the main man at the heart of everything. Much like Bruno, he is the focal point of every attack. But he has some attributes that Fernandes doesn't have, which make him a better fit in the modern game.

Palmer is a far better dribbler and is capable of beating players one-on-one, while he is also capable of getting goals and assists when playing in a wider position. That would allow for more tactical flexibility depending on match situations or availability.

He's also just 24 years old, meaning he still has the best part of a decade to go in his career, when he could be playing at the very highest level. Fernandes, meanwhile, is on the way down, as his performances this season have shown.

Any deal would obviously be incredibly difficult to do. Chelsea won't want to sell their best player, and especially not to a direct rival. But with the player's buy-in, it's possible. INEOS could make a major statement by bringing him in, filling an instant hole in the squad, and upgrading.

Pochettino would be getting a player he knows well and can get the best out of, and together they can lead a new era at Old Trafford.