Manchester United have sacked head coach Michael Carrick following a disappointing start to the 2026/2027 Premier League campaign that has left the club battling in the relegation zone.
The decision was taken on Thursday, 12 November 2026, after the club’s hierarchy reviewed the team’s performances and results under the former Manchester United midfielder.
Carrick’s dismissal comes less than six months after he was handed a permanent two-year contract following an impressive interim spell in charge.
During his initial period as interim manager, Carrick guided United to third place in the Premier League last season, securing qualification for the UEFA Champions League.
However, his success did not continue into the new campaign, with Manchester United managing just one victory in their opening 10 league matches.
The club collected only eight points from those fixtures, leaving them 18th in the Premier League table and inside the relegation zone.
United’s disappointing run included a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth, a 2-0 loss against Chelsea and a dramatic 4-4 draw against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Despite fighting back to secure a point against Aston Villa after falling two goals behind on two occasions, the result was not enough to save Carrick’s position.
Reports indicate that director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada had been involved in discussions about the manager’s future before recommending a change to the club’s leadership.
Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe subsequently approved the decision, with the Glazer family also involved in the board-level process.
POCHETTINO LINED UP AS REPLACEMENT
Meanwhile, former Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as Manchester United’s preferred replacement.
The Argentine, who currently manages the United States men’s national team, is reportedly close to reaching an agreement to take charge at Old Trafford.
Reports suggest that a framework agreement is already in place, although negotiations with the United States Soccer Federation are required to complete his release.
Pochettino is expected to remain with the United States for its upcoming international fixtures before potentially beginning his new role at Manchester United.
Carrick’s departure represents another managerial change at Old Trafford as the club continues its search for stability following years of inconsistent performances and leadership changes.
Manchester United will now look to appoint a new manager before returning to Premier League action against Liverpool at Anfield on 22 November.
