Mauricio Pochettino looks set to take over from Michael Carrick at Manchester United, with the club sitting in the Premier League relegation places and the squad reportedly divided. The Argentine, currently in charge of the USA national team, signed a new contract in the summer with a $10million (£7.5m) release clause, which United are ready to trigger, according to the reports.

The dressing room is said to be in disarray. Youri Tielemans and Lisandro Martinez were reportedly involved in a bust-up on the return flight from Madrid after Martinez publicly criticised the United hierarchy, and the Daily Mail reports that subsequent confrontations exposed deeper tensions. When questioned on camera, Tielemans said only "no comment". Sources close to the squad believe Carrick has been left "hung out to dry" as the club works to appoint Pochettino without formally dismissing him, and the reports suggest the dressing room still backs Carrick.S1S2

Carrick has continued his usual routine at Carrington over the past two days, arriving at the training complex as normal, despite speculation about his position. Reports also suggest several squad members had lobbied for Aston Villa boss Unai Emery to succeed him. Emery was at Old Trafford on Sunday and showed frustration on the touchline after Patrick Dorgu's stoppage-time equaliser in a 4-4 draw, and Villa were unlikely to release him without resistance, which prompted United to turn to Pochettino.S1S2

Pochettino, a former Tottenham and Chelsea manager, is reportedly close to joining United. The club are understood to have contacted the US Soccer Federation and are set to pay the £7.5million compensation fee, though his arrival could be delayed if he remains with the USA for two games over the international break, against Haiti in a Concacaf Nations League quarter-final. His first game in charge of United is due on November 22, when the team travel to face rivals Liverpool.S1S2