Mauricio Pochettino will face a brutal start to life at Manchester United with the prospective Red Devils boss set to manage the United States days before his debut at Liverpool.
United have moved closer to putting Pochettino in charge at Old Trafford after reaching a verbal agreement with the US national team boss on Wednesday. The club then made a formal approach to US Soccer.
Daily Mail Sport understands Pochettino will take charge of both of the United States matches during the international window.
The US take on Haiti in the CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final first leg on Saturday, with the second fixture then taking place in Cincinnati on Tuesday evening, but would likely finish at around 2am GMT.
Pochettino would then have to travel to Manchester following the match to link up with the Red Devils' squad for the first time, likely on Thursday.
The Argentine would then have limited time with his players before a daunting trip to Anfield to face rivals Liverpool on Sunday in a blockbuster first match in charge.
Mauricio Pochettino will take charge of the United States upcoming matches against Haiti
Mauricio Pochettino will take charge of the United States upcoming matches against Haiti
Pochettino will coach in the early hours on Wednesday morning in Cincinnati before travelling to Manchester
Pochettino will coach in the early hours on Wednesday morning in Cincinnati before travelling to Manchester
The Argentine would have limited time to prepare his side for Sunday's match at Anfield
The Argentine would have limited time to prepare his side for Sunday's match at Anfield
Man United are said to be relaxed over Pochettino taking charge of his final two matches as US boss before starting as their new head coach.
It will cost Pochettino around £7million to buy himself out of his contract with the US Soccer Federation, with United ready to foot the bill.
The cost of bringing in his back-room team, including trusted assistants Jesus Perez and Miguel D’Agostino, will take the cost above £10million.
The 54-year-old only signed a new deal after the World Cup meaning that United could have got him for nothing in the summer.
Pochettino is set to take over a Man United side languishing in the Premier League relegation zone following just one win in their opening ten matches.
The trip to Anfield would be the first of a run of eight matches in 29 days, as Man United juggle Premier League and Champions League football.
Pochettino is set to succeed Michael Carrick, whose departure as the Red Devils' boss was officially announced on Wednesday morning.
Pochettino will face a tight turnaround to prepare his new side for the daunting clash on Merseyside
Pochettino will face a tight turnaround to prepare his new side for the daunting clash on Merseyside
Carrick arrived at United's training ground at 7.50am this morning and was dismissed. He left at 10.18am, less than two and a half hours later. He is the first Premier League manager to be sacked this season, followed hours later by bottom-of-the-table Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage.
In a statement released at 10.37am, Carrick's sacking was confirmed. United's statement read: 'After a disappointing start to the season, the club has come to the extremely difficult conclusion that a change is necessary in order to achieve our ambitions.
'Michael is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend. Just as he did as a player, he has conducted himself with the highest standards of dedication and professionalism throughout his time back with the club. His leadership and achievements last season will always be fondly remembered.'