United contact US Soccer over Pochettino release clause, BBC reports

Manchester United have contacted the US Soccer Federation about activating Mauricio Pochettino's release clause as they work to bring him back to the Premier League, according to BBC Sport. The broadcaster reported that chief executive Omar Berrada made the approach on Wednesday, confirming the clause's existence and communicating United's intention to use it. The report does not establish that the appointment has been completed.

Watch the highlights:

BBC Sport's senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel reported that United were aware of a $10m clause, equivalent to about £7m, in Pochettino's United States contract. Discussions with the Argentine have been taking place since Monday. According to the report, Pochettino had kept his employers informed about those conversations and his intention to return to English club football.

The timing of any arrival remains linked to the United States' international commitments. They have two matches against Haiti, with the second scheduled for 18 November. The BBC reported that, if Pochettino oversees that game, he is expected at United's Carrington training headquarters on 19 November. That would leave four days before United face Liverpool. Those dates remain conditional on how his departure is arranged.

The approach comes as United dismissed Michael Carrick on Thursday. Citing sources familiar with the discussions, the BBC said Berrada contacted Carrick's agent on Monday about a planned meeting with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco. Director of football Jason Wilcox is understood to have spoken to Carrick the following day. It remains unclear whether Carrick or his representatives knew the recommendation would be dismissal.

United had placed particular importance on the games against Chelsea, Roma and Aston Villa after heavy defeats by Como and Bournemouth. That sequence produced a defeat, a win and a draw, with eight goals conceded. The BBC reported that the club's leadership did not regard the improvement in results and team structure as sufficient to retain Carrick.

Carrick had initially taken interim charge after Ruben Amorim's dismissal in January. United won 12 of their final 17 matches of that season, and he subsequently received a two-year contract. His permanent tenure ended with the club second from bottom in the Premier League and 17th in the Champions League table, leaving the next coach to take over a markedly different position.