Manchester United contact US Soccer over Pochettino release clause

Manchester United have contacted the US Soccer Federation about activating Mauricio Pochettino's release clause following Michael Carrick's dismissal, BBC Sport reported on November 12. Chief executive Omar Berrada made the approach on Wednesday to confirm the clause and communicate United's intention to use it. The report described ongoing discussions rather than a completed appointment.

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According to BBC Sport's senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel, United were aware of a $10m release clause, approximately £7m, in Pochettino's contract with the United States national team. Talks with the Argentine had been taking place since Monday. The BBC reported that Pochettino had informed his employers about those discussions and his intention to return to the Premier League.

The timing of a possible move remained linked to the United States' two fixtures against Haiti. The BBC said United wanted Pochettino to arrive quickly but were mindful of his national-team responsibilities. If he takes charge of the second match on November 18, the reported plan would put him at United's Carrington headquarters on November 19, four days before the Liverpool fixture. That timetable was conditional.

The report also set out the communications preceding Carrick's departure. Berrada contacted his agent on Monday about a planned meeting with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco, where the head coach's future would be discussed. Director of football Jason Wilcox was understood to have spoken to Carrick the next day. The BBC said it remained unclear whether Carrick or his representatives knew that dismissal would be recommended.

United had attached particular importance to the matches against Chelsea, Roma and Aston Villa after heavy defeats by Como and Bournemouth. Those three games brought a defeat, a victory and a draw, with eight goals conceded. According to the report, the leadership did not consider the improvement in results and team structure sufficient to keep Carrick in charge.

Carrick initially took over on an interim basis after Ruben Amorim's dismissal in January. United won 12 of their final 17 matches that season, and he subsequently signed a two-year contract. His departure came with United third bottom of the Premier League and 17th in the Champions League table, BBC Sport reported.