Manchester United have taken decisive steps toward appointing United States Men's National Team manager Mauricio Pochettino as their next head coach. Club executives held a series of direct consultations on Tuesday with representatives of the 54-year-old Argentine to discuss the framework of personal terms.

Negotiations directly with the coach's camp are progressing smoothly, with both sides expected to encounter few obstacles regarding wage terms or contract length. However, the most significant hurdle remains institutional, as United hierarchy have yet to formally contact the United States Soccer Federation, who hold Pochettino’s contractual rights.

Securing the Argentine tactician will require United to trigger an official buyout clause set at approximately £7.4 million (around $10 million). The financial commitment will escalate further to cover compensation packages for his long-serving backroom staff, whose inclusion Pochettino considers non-negotiable.

United have not yet lodged a formal approach with U.S. Soccer headquarters in Chicago. Formal contact is anticipated once the club finalises the departure of under-fire manager Michael Carrick, whose position at Old Trafford has reached a breaking point following an eight-game winless run.