How Pochettino came on Man Utd’s radar – and what Carrick was told when

Manchester United told Michael Carrick that senior leaders would recommend a decision on his future, before dismissing him on Thursday after a poor run of results and performances. The club had already begun pursuing Mauricio Pochettino, and knew his United States contract included a £7m release clause; the change matters because United had given Carrick a permanent two-year deal only after his strong interim spell.

Carrick’s agent was contacted by chief executive Omar Berrada on Monday, and director of football Jason Wilcox spoke to Carrick the next day, though it is unclear whether either was told dismissal was the likely recommendation. United had highlighted three key games against Chelsea, Roma and Aston Villa, but felt the results and performances, including eight goals conceded, showed too little progress. Carrick had previously overseen 12 wins in his final 17 matches of the season, but United are now second bottom of the Premier League and 17th in the Champions League table.