Manchester United have dismissed head coach Michael Carrick, the Premier League club confirmed in a statement. The decision comes at a difficult time for the club, which currently sits in the league’s relegation zone.
The club announced the departure on Thursday, saying Carrick’s exit had been expected after United made the worst start to a top-flight English season in 40 years. United said they would look to “appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible”.
Club statement praises Carrick and promises swift change
In its announcement, the Old Trafford club said Carrick had left his role as head of the men’s first team. It described the decision as the result of a disappointing opening to the campaign, adding that a change was needed to reach the club’s goals.
Also read: Michael Carrick set to be sacked by Manchester United
United called Carrick a club legend. The statement said he had shown high standards of dedication and professionalism during his second spell with the club, both as a player and in his time in charge. It added that his leadership and achievements last season would always be fondly remembered.
A slide down the table and a painful final game
Carrick’s last match in charge ended in a dramatic late draw against Aston Villa at Old Trafford. Furious home supporters directed their anger at the club’s ownership during the game.
United needed a stoppage-time equaliser to salvage a point against Villa, who are 10th in the table. The result was not enough to lift them out of the relegation zone. United briefly dropped to the bottom of the standings before other results moved them back up to 18th, with eight points from their first 10 games of the season.
The team have recorded four defeats and five draws this season. Their only win came against Ipswich Town in late August. They also went out of the League Cup in the third round and have made an unconvincing start in the Champions League, winning twice and losing twice. Across all competitions, United have won only three of their 15 matches.
Carrick, who was handed the job on an interim basis in January, had been aware that his position was under pressure after a run of disappointing results in recent weeks. The opening league defeat to newly promoted Hull City was described as an embarrassing start for the former champions. Reports of a dressing room rift further damaged Carrick’s standing, and the club’s leadership appeared to lose faith in a figure from within its own ranks.
Carrick’s rollercoaster reign and the Pochettino question
The former United midfielder, who captained the club in his final season as a player, took over from the sacked Ruben Amorim last season. At that point the team were seventh. Carrick lifted them to third place and secured Champions League qualification by the end of the 2025-26 season.
The players appeared sharper and more confident when Carrick first arrived, but supporters’ optimism faded when that improvement failed to carry into the current campaign. His sacking closes a turbulent spell at the club.
United are heavily linked with USA men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino. His release from the contract extension he signed as USA head coach has reportedly been arranged. Pochettino would become the eighth permanent manager at Old Trafford since Sir Alex Ferguson left in May 2013, after more than 26 years in the job.
British media have also linked other high-profile managers to the role. Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe and former Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann were among the early frontrunners, but Pochettino has seemingly moved ahead of both as the favourite. Pochettino, who previously managed Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea in the English top flight, is widely favoured by media in the United States and Britain. Former Chelsea coach Antonio Conte is also reported to be in the running.
A permanent appointment is expected during the upcoming international break, with a new manager likely to lead United to Anfield for their clash with Liverpool on November 22.
