Why did Manchester United dismiss Michael Carrick?

United said it had reached the difficult conclusion that a change was necessary to achieve its ambitions after a disappointing start. Carrick’s team had managed only one league victory this season, and a nine-match winless run included losses to Bournemouth and Chelsea before the draw with Aston Villa.

What is Mauricio Pochettino expected to do after Michael Carrick’s departure from Manchester United?

British media reports said Pochettino had agreed to take the vacant United job. He was expected to remain in charge of the U.S. team for its upcoming CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final matches, which would leave him little time to prepare for his first game at United.

How did Michael Carrick’s record at Manchester United change from his interim spell to this season?

After taking over in January, Carrick won 11 of his first 16 matches, including victories over Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea, helping United reach third and qualify for the Champions League. He could not sustain that form in the new season, when the team won only three of 15 matches in all competitions.

Manchester United sack manager Carrick with club in relegation zone

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Summary

Manchester United dismissed manager Michael Carrick on Thursday after a 4-4 draw with Aston Villa at Old Trafford left the club 18th in the Premier League. United had won only three of 15 matches in all competitions under Carrick this season, including one league game. The club said it was seeking a permanent successor, while British media reported that Mauricio Pochettino had agreed to take over. United’s next match is a trip to Liverpool after the international break.

Key Facts

United had eight points after 10 league games, one point above the bottom of the table.
A nine-match winless run followed victories over promoted Ipswich Town and Champions League debutants Sabah FK.
Carrick was appointed interim manager after Ruben Amorim was sacked in January and later received a contract through 2028.
United won 11 of Carrick’s first 16 matches, climbed to third in the Premier League and qualified for the Champions League.
Pochettino was expected to remain with the U.S. team for its upcoming CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final matches, leaving little time to prepare for his first United game.

By Reuters

Published Nov 12, 2026 8:33 pm KST

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick looks on during the UEFA Champions League, league phase football match between Manchester United and Roma at Old Trafford in Manchester, Nov. 3. AFP-Yonhap

Manchester United dismissed manager Michael Carrick on Thursday after a prolonged winless Premier League run culminated in a 4-4 draw against Aston Villa at Old Trafford last weekend, leaving the struggling team mired in the relegation zone.

United have won only three of their 15 matches in all competitions under Carrick this season — including one league victory — leaving them 18th in the table on eight points after 10 games, one point from the bottom.

"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," United said in a statement on their website.

Carrick came under mounting pressure after a 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth and the former United midfielder carried the air of someone awaiting the inevitable after the defeat when fans chanted his name but booed the players off the pitch.

He had dropped captain Bruno Fernandes to the bench against Bournemouth and did not bring him on even when United were desperate for inspiration in midfield, but the struggling club gave Carrick another chance to revive their season.

Although he restored the playmaker to the starting lineup against Chelsea following clear-the-air talks and spoke of the team's determination to put things right, little changed as they were comprehensively outplayed in a 2-0 loss at Stamford Bridge.

A 3-2 comeback win over AS Roma in the Champions League briefly eased the pressure on Carrick, but United's familiar defensive frailties were exposed again in the 4-4 draw with Aston Villa, despite two injury-time goals salvaging a point.

Carrick's tenure

Carrick was appointed on an interim basis following Ruben Amorim's sacking in January before being handed a contract until 2028 after overseeing a turnaround in the side's fortunes.

United won 11 of their first 16 matches under Carrick, including victories over Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea, to climb to third in the Premier League and secure qualification for the Champions League.

The 45-year-old proved unable to carry that momentum into the new season, however, with United notching wins only against promoted Ipswich Town and Champions League debutants Sabah FK before embarking on a nine-match winless run.

The club praised Carrick for his professional conduct during his managerial tenure, and said they were working towards appointing a permanent successor as soon as possible.

He ultimately became another managerial casualty at Old Trafford after the reigns of David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Erik ten Hag and Amorim.

What's next for United?

Carrick is likely to be replaced by Mauricio Pochettino, the U.S. men's national team coach, who has agreed to take over the newly vacant post, according to reports in British media.

The former Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea manager is one of the Premier League's most highly regarded former coaches.

United have not won the English league title since lifting the trophy for the 20th time in 2013 when Alex Ferguson left the club following a trophy-laden 27-year stint as manager.

A daunting trip to Anfield to face rivals Liverpool awaits United after the international break.

Pochettino is expected to remain in charge of the US for their upcoming CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final matches, which would leave the Argentine little time to prepare for his first game in one of English football's most demanding jobs.

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