Carrick drove into Manchester United’s training ground before 8am on Wednesday, wound down his window and raised his thumb to the photographers waiting at the gates.
A few hundred miles away, on the French Riviera, his two most senior football executives were preparing a presentation expected to end his tenure inside the day.
Berrada and Wilcox flew to Monaco on Tuesday to meet Ratcliffe, the United co-owner. They are understood to be recommending Carrick’s dismissal, with the decision also requiring sign-off from the Glazer family.
Carrick himself was told nothing formally before heading in. He took the session with the players not away on international duty, his staff alongside him.
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One win in 10 and the relegation zone
The case against him is short. In 10 Premier League matches he has one win, five draws and four defeats. United have eight points, sit 18th, and are in the Premier League relegation zone.
Sunday’s 4-4 draw at Aston Villa, in which United led three times and conceded three times, is understood to have triggered the trip to Monaco.
Pochettino closing in from the USMNT
The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported on Wednesday that Manchester United are finalising a deal for Mauricio Pochettino to take over if the verdict on Carrick goes against him. Personal terms are being negotiated and no complications are anticipated, with United yet to formally contact U.S. Soccer.
The 54-year-old Argentine is currently head coach of the United States men’s national team on a contract that runs through 2030. It carries an exit clause of roughly $10m (£7.5m).
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Pochettino has named a 25-player roster for Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals against Haiti on 14 and 17 November, fixtures the federation still lists him for.
£10.4m to swap managers
Carrick signed a two-year deal at Old Trafford worth around £5m a year with a break clause. With seven months left on year one, TeamTalk reports his pay-off would come in at roughly £2.9m. Added to Pochettino’s release clause, that puts the combined bill at about £10.4m.
“Michael Carrick has a break clause, so if they part ways he’ll be paid out for the season and that’s it,” reporter Ben Jacobs told TeamTalk.
Liverpool away on 22 November
United’s next Premier League fixture is at Anfield, and an announcement on Carrick is expected before then. The Telegraph has reported that the conversation with Carrick will be held face-to-face, which could push public confirmation into Thursday.
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