Pochettino Reportedly on Course for Manchester United Job

Mauricio Pochettino's representatives are reported to have held talks with Manchester United this week over personal terms. The talks are progressing positively, but some formal steps have not yet been completed. United have not yet sacked head coach Michael Carrick, who took training on Tuesday.

According to The Athletic, United have not yet made a formal request to the United States Soccer Federation to trigger Pochettino's release clause. The clause is reported to be worth $10 million. However, that fee only covers Pochettino. If the club also wants to take his coaching staff, it will have to pay the federation separate compensation.

Meanwhile, the timing is difficult for the US national team. The World Cup is four years away, but Pochettino signed a new four-year contract in August. He is currently with his squad at the national team facility near Atlanta. The team is preparing to face Haiti in the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Nations League. The first leg will be played on Saturday at Nu Stadium in Miami, and the return leg on Tuesday at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati.

Defender Antonee Robinson responded to the reports on Tuesday. Robinson said the players had experienced a similar situation before. He said working with a coach linked to big clubs was an opportunity for the team. Pochettino had openly expressed his desire to return to the Premier League during his time in charge in the United States. United, meanwhile, are in the relegation zone and, having won only one of their ten games this season, are the least successful team in the Premier League so far.