Manchester United have lined up Mauricio Pochettino to replace Michael Carrick as Red Devils head coach.
Although Carrick oversaw training at Carrington on Wednesday, club officials met in Monaco and reportedly reached an agreement for the ex-Tottenham boss to take over at Old Trafford.
Pochettino, who has previously managed Chelsea and PSG, is currently in charge of the US national team and is expected to remain at the helm for the upcoming Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against Haiti.
With United CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox having seemingly made their decision, the final call over Carrick’s future now rests with minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Right place, right time
Analysing the latest developments, Sky Sports journalist Laura Hunter said: “Mauricio Pochettino and Manchester United have a well-established history, one where paths might have crossed long before now, numerous times, but somehow never managed to converge.
“Could it be that we are finally to bear witness to the culmination of this elaborate, 10-year dance of incompatible circumstances?
“The Old Trafford hierarchy have always admired Pochettino from afar. He was on their radar while at Tottenham and again when it was clear his time at PSG was coming to an end.
“The Argentine was eventually lured back to the Premier League but instead returned to London, signing with Chelsea. All along this journey of complicated courtship, United were at play.
“Now, another chance, a decade on from the first, has revealed itself to pursue the one that got away. Is this finally right place, right time for Pochettino?”
READ MORE: England vs Croatia betting tips, team news and predictions
Pochettino thrives as underdog
Former Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld stated with regard to Pochettino’s strengths: “He wants to work as the underdog.
“He is very good with players that are just underneath and want to improve and show how good they are.
“This is the perfect moment for him to be at Man Utd. Not many people expect a lot, which means he can work.
“He is probably going to change a lot of things at the training ground, change the mentality. Then, I think people will be shocked by how good he will do.”
Shameful treatment of Carrick
Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol, meanwhile, was less enthusiastic about the news, saying: “I don’t think this looks good for Manchester United at all.
“Most people in football will think this is a pretty shameful way to treat Michael Carrick, an incredible player for the club, somebody who is Manchester United through and through.
“Why are you letting Michael Carrick suffer in public? What’s the point of a chief executive and director of football flying to Monaco to rubber-stamp the sacking of Carrick when it is an open secret in football now that Carrick is leaving and he is going to be replaced by Pochettino?
“I know this was a pre-arranged meeting about more than just Carrick but it’s obvious this makes United look bad. I’m old enough to remember a time when Manchester United did things the right way.
“This looks terrible for the club, and it’s just another sign of what has happened to Manchester United.”
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Italy vs France betting tips, team news and predictions
