Manchester United succession plan could reunite Mauricio Pochettino with Harry Kane

Manchester United are expected to part company with Michael Carrick, with reports claiming the club have reached a full agreement for Mauricio Pochettino to become their next manager.

Senior United officials held a decisive meeting in Monaco on Wednesday to discuss the club’s direction. Sources cited by Teamtalk indicate Carrick is likely to be dismissed during a face-to-face meeting on Thursday.

James Ducker of the Telegraph wrote: “Michael Carrick is expected to be told on Thursday that he is being dismissed as Manchester United manager.”

He added: “Nothing is certain or final yet, but that is what is expected at the moment. Manchester United sporting director Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada are due to return from Monaco tonight, and it appears likely they will meet Carrick in person at some point on Thursday.”

Pochettino deal reported

Journalist Matteo Moretto, who works closely with Fabrizio Romano, has reported that United and Pochettino have reached a final agreement.

“​​Mauricio Pochettino will be the new Manchester United manager: the two parties have reached a final agreement, pending Michael Carrick’s dismissal,” Moretto said.

United must now inform Pochettino’s current club, the United States national team, that they intend to activate the $10m release clause in his contract.

The club are willing to pay that sum. Pochettino is still expected to manage the United States in their two matches against Haiti before taking charge at Old Trafford.

Could Kane follow his former manager?

Pochettino’s potential appointment has also prompted speculation that Harry Kane could eventually join him at Manchester United.

Kane flourished under Pochettino during their time at Tottenham and left the Premier League as the competition’s second-highest scorer, having scored 213 goals. Only Alan Shearer, with 260, has scored more.

The Ballon d’Or winner recently renewed his contract with Bayern Munich, but there has long been a belief that England’s record goalscorer could return to the Premier League in an attempt to surpass Shearer’s mark.

Former Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood said he would not be surprised if Pochettino and Kane were reunited at Old Trafford in the coming years.

Speaking to Jamie Redknapp on Overlap Daily, Sherwood said: “I’ll tell you who we could see coming back to the Premier League: Harry Kane. And I’ll tell you where we could see him, in a Manchester United shirt. If Pochettino goes to Manchester United, there is a greater chance Harry Kane could join them in two years.”

Redknapp replied jokingly: “Oh, and he’ll break Shearer’s record for Premier League goals. Alan, your friend Alan Shearer will not be happy.”

Sherwood added: “When Kane signed his new contract a few days ago, it must have been one of the happiest days of Alan Shearer’s life. I messaged him immediately and said: ‘My friend, Shearer is happy about that.’ He replied: ‘There is still time, there is still time for Kane to return.’”

Pochettino’s possible move could therefore become a key factor in Kane’s future, although United’s immediate decision concerns Carrick and the planned change in the dugout.