Mauricio Pochettino is closing in on being the next Manchester United manager after Michael Carrick was sacked on Thursday morning, and he will already be thinking about the squad he is inheriting.

Man United finally confirmed the dismissal of Carrick on Thursday, despite it being widely known that he was set to go since Monday, before Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada travelled to Monaco to make the recommendation to co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe that he should be relieved of his duties.

It's also been no secret that Red Devils chiefs have been working on the appointment of Pochettino this week while Carrick has continued to take training, with GIVEMESPORT sources revealing on Wednesday night that the club had reached an agreement in principle with the Argentine over personal terms.

United are now ready to pay the $10m release clause in his USMNT contract, with a full agreement now edging closer ahead of their match against Haiti on Saturday.

Pochettino is currently expected to take charge of that match, but it is so far unclear whether he will be in the dugout for the second-leg against the same nation next Wednesday.

United's next match is against Liverpool at Anfield a week on Sunday, and the 54-year-old could be without some key experienced players for the trip to Anfield, with fitness doubts over Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford.

According to a new report from Telegraph journalist Matt Law, Pochettino has 'always loved' the latter and will see him as one of his key players at Old Trafford.

A former colleague of Pochettino told the reporter:

Mauricio has always loved Rashford. He will put an arm around him and give him that same kind of love he showed to Dele Alli [at Spurs]. Then it’s up to Rashford.

Rashford Needs to React

After a stunning loan spell with Barcelona last season, and with the player previously unsettled at Old Trafford, the most likely outcome in the summer seemed like it would be a permanent move away for Rashford.

Instead, the LaLiga giants decided to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United instead, and the 29-year-old didn't receive any offers that tempted him to leave the club.

Carrick said he was pleased to have the England forward back at the club, and in a remarkable turnaround, he began the season in the starting XI for the Red Devils.

However, Rashford struggled to make a meaningful impact before suffering a hip injury that is keeping him on the sidelines.

There may be some optimism that he could be available against Liverpool, but even if he isn't, he looks set to get an arm around the shoulder from Pochettino.

Dele Alli's career has ultimately gone downhill since he left Tottenham, but when he was at the club with Pochettino, he was one of the best players in the Premier League.

There was probably a touch of tough love from the Argentine as he looked to get the very best out of Alli, and Rashford could be in for the same treatment given Pochettino is clearly a huge fan of him.

Rashford must now take this opportunity with both hands and truly relaunch his Old Trafford career.