When will Mauricio Pochettino start work at Manchester United? Delay explained after ‘formal contact’

Pochettino emerged as the leading candidate to replace Michael Carrick as manager after Sunday’s 4-4 draw against Aston Villa left the former midfielder on the brink, with Man United sitting in the Premier League relegation zone heading into the international break.

In the meantime, United are said to have stepped up their pursuit of Pochettino.

It has been widely reported that United have made formal contact with U.S. Soccer, as they look to appoint the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) boss as their next head coach.

Breakthrough: Mauricio Pochettino

London Standard

However, while United are now looking to finalise an agreement with both Pochettino and U.S. Soccer to make him Carrick’s successor, there is a further complication.

Pochettino is currently with the USMNT ahead of the CONCACAF Nations League two-legged quarter-final against Haiti over the next week, and the expectation is that he is likely to remain in charge of those matches before reporting to Carrington.

It is understood that Man United are comfortable with this scenario, though they do run the risk of Pochettino not having much preparation time ahead of the Premier League showdown with Liverpool at Anfield on November 22.