Manchester United have sacked Michael Carrick as head coach following a disastrous start to the 2026/27 season that left the Premier League giants in the relegation zone after 10 matches.
The decision ends Carrick’s permanent spell at Old Trafford just months after he secured a third-place finish and Champions League qualification during his interim tenure.
United’s poor results, dressing-room tensions and mounting pressure on the club’s leadership ultimately led to his departure, with former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino emerging as his expected successor.
According to reports, Carrick was informed of the decision at the club’s Carrington training ground on Thursday following a meeting with chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox.
The 45-year-old had arrived earlier in the day to oversee training before receiving the news and subsequently leaving the facility with his coaching staff.
The dismissal follows one of Manchester United’s worst starts to a league campaign in 40 years. The club have managed just one victory in their opening 10 Premier League matches, collecting eight points and slipping into the relegation zone.
Their struggles have extended beyond domestic competition, with inconsistent performances in the Carabao Cup and Champions League adding to the pressure on the coaching staff.
Carrick’s appointment had initially appeared to signal a turnaround for the club. He took charge in January 2026 following the departure of Ruben Amorim and quickly restored confidence, guiding United to third place in the Premier League and qualification for the Champions League.
His impressive interim performance earned him a permanent appointment in May, with the club handing him a two-year contract.
However, the former England international struggled to maintain that momentum after taking the job full-time. United’s campaign began with a defeat to newly promoted Hull City, followed by a victory over Ipswich Town, but they failed to establish consistency in subsequent league fixtures.
Their defensive weaknesses became particularly concerning, with the team conceding 19 goals in their first 10 league matches.
They also shipped 30 goals across all competitions, giving them the worst defensive record among clubs in Europe’s five major leagues at the time of his departure.
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The team’s European campaign offered little relief. United suffered heavy defeats against Atletico Madrid and Como before recovering to beat Roma 3-2 in a Champions League encounter.
The disappointing results were accompanied by growing tensions within the dressing room, with players publicly expressing concerns about the club’s direction and recruitment.
Argentina international Lisandro Martinez was particularly critical following the defeat to Atletico Madrid, calling on the club’s technical leadership to do more to strengthen the squad. He also acknowledged that the players needed to improve their own performances.
United captain Bruno Fernandes was also among the players whose public comments added to questions about the atmosphere surrounding the team.
Carrick’s departure comes after Sunday’s 4-4 draw against Aston Villa at Old Trafford, where United recovered from two goals down on two occasions to secure a point.
Although the late comeback demonstrated some attacking resilience, it did little to ease concerns about their defensive organisation and overall league position.
With United sitting 18th, three places from safety, the club now faces the challenge of finding a replacement capable of restoring stability and preventing a potentially damaging relegation battle.
Meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as the leading candidate to succeed Carrick at Old Trafford. The 54-year-old Argentine is currently head coach of the United States men’s national team, having recently extended his contract until the 2030 World Cup.
Reports indicate that Manchester United have reached a verbal agreement in principle with Pochettino over the possibility of taking charge, with the club expected to pay approximately £7 million to secure his release from his international contract.
Pochettino brings considerable Premier League experience, having previously managed Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.
His most notable achievement in England came with Tottenham, whom he guided to the 2019 Champions League final. He also won the French Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain during his managerial career.
His potential appointment would represent another major managerial change for United as the club attempts to rebuild its competitiveness following years of inconsistent performances.
If appointed, Pochettino is expected to face an immediate challenge, with United’s next league fixture against fierce rivals Liverpool scheduled for November 22.
The encounter at Anfield could provide an early indication of the direction the club intends to take under its new leadership, as the Red Devils look to revive their season and move away from the relegation zone.
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