Manchester United have sacked Michael Carrick as the club’s men’s first-team head coach with immediate effect following a disappointing start to the 2026/27 football season.
The decision was confirmed on Thursday, after the former England international struggled to maintain the impressive form that earned him the permanent managerial position earlier this year.
According to renowned Manchester United journalist Andy Mitten, Carrick has been relieved of his duties after the club’s hierarchy concluded that a managerial change was necessary.
United’s decision follows a difficult run of results that has left the club in the Premier League relegation zone, with just eight points from their opening 10 league matches.
Carrick initially took charge in January 2026 following the departure of Ruben Amorim and enjoyed an impressive interim spell, guiding Manchester United to a third-place finish and qualification for the UEFA Champions League.
His performances earned him a permanent two-year contract in May 2026.
However, the team’s fortunes deteriorated during the new campaign, with inconsistent performances and disappointing results increasing pressure on the former midfielder.
His final match was Sunday’s dramatic 4-4 draw against Aston Villa, which failed to ease concerns about the club’s poor league position.
Meanwhile, reports from Reuters, Sky Sports and The Guardian indicate that former Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino is expected to take over at Old Trafford.
Pochettino, who currently manages the United States men’s national team, has reportedly emerged as Manchester United’s preferred replacement.
Carrick’s departure marks another managerial change at Old Trafford as the club continues its search for stability following the departure of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.
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