Manchester United have sacked their head coach, Michael Carrick, following a disappointing start to the 2026/2027 football season, with the club struggling in the Premier League relegation zone after a prolonged run of poor results.
The English Premier League giants confirmed Carrick’s departure on Thursday, November 12, 2026, bringing an end to his second spell at Old Trafford, where he had initially revived the club’s fortunes after taking charge in January 2026.
In an official statement, Manchester United said the decision followed a disappointing beginning to the current campaign, adding that the club had reached the difficult conclusion that a managerial change was necessary to achieve its ambitions.
“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,” the statement said.
Carrick’s dismissal comes despite his impressive achievements during the second half of the 2025/2026 season, when he guided Manchester United to a third-place finish in the Premier League after winning 12 of the remaining 17 matches following his appointment in January. The club also noted that United accumulated the highest points tally in the league during that period.
However, his impressive beginning could not be sustained in the ongoing campaign, as United struggled to maintain consistency, recording just three victories in their first 15 matches across all competitions. Their poor league performance left them 18th in the Premier League table, with eight points from 10 matches, placing them among the teams threatened by relegation.
The final blow to Carrick’s position followed Manchester United’s dramatic 4-4 draw against Aston Villa at Old Trafford last Sunday.
Although the team recovered from difficult positions to secure a point through late goals, the result extended their disappointing league run and increased pressure on the club’s technical leadership. The team had also suffered a 2-0 defeat against Chelsea and a heavy 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth.
Before his departure, Carrick had faced mounting criticism over the team’s performances, tactical direction and inability to produce consistent results. His decision to leave captain Bruno Fernandes on the bench during the defeat to Bournemouth also attracted attention, although the Portuguese midfielder subsequently returned to the starting lineup.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have reportedly reached a verbal agreement in principle with former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino to succeed Carrick.
The Argentine, who currently manages the United States men’s national team, has emerged as the club’s preferred candidate, although negotiations over his release from his international contract and the terms of his appointment remain necessary.
According to reports, Pochettino’s contract with the United States includes a release clause estimated at approximately £7 million, which Manchester United would have to pay to secure his services. However, he is expected to honour his immediate international commitments before potentially taking charge at Old Trafford.
Carrick, 45, remains an important figure in Manchester United’s history, having made 464 appearances for the club as a midfielder. During his playing career, he won five Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League, alongside several other domestic and international honours.
Manchester United praised his professionalism, dedication and leadership, describing him as a club legend whose contributions would remain fondly remembered. The club also expressed appreciation for his achievements during his return to the dugout.
His dismissal represents another managerial setback for Manchester United, who have struggled to regain their former dominance since the retirement of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.
The club has appointed several managers during that period, including David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim.
Carrick’s departure also comes less than six months after he was handed a permanent contract following his successful interim spell, highlighting the pressure surrounding the club’s expectations and its determination to return to competing for major trophies.
Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville had criticised the manner in which the club handled Carrick’s impending dismissal, describing the process as “clumsy” and “classless” in comments made before the official announcement.