Manchester United have sacked Michael Carrick as men's first-team head coach, announcing on Thursday 12 November that he has "departed his role" after a poor start to the season left the club 18th in the Premier League. The decision comes less than six months after Carrick signed a contract running to 2028.
What did Manchester United say?
In a statement on its official website, the club said: "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 club credited Carrick with guiding the team to a third-placed Premier League finish after he rejoined in January, winning 12 of the remaining 17 games of the 2025/26 season. The statement called him "a Manchester United legend" and said the club "intends to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible".
Carrick is the second United head coach to leave in 2026, after Ruben Amorim's exit in January, and the latest change in our managers coverage.
Why did Carrick lose his job?
Carrick signed his new deal on 22 May, but United have won just one of their 10 Premier League games this season, a 5-2 home victory over Ipswich Town in August. They are 18th on eight points in the official table after matchweek 10, a run Sky Sports and AP both describe as the club's worst start to a Premier League season.
United kept Carrick in charge for the trip to Chelsea after a 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth on 25 October. They lost 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, beat Roma 3-2 in the Champions League and then needed two stoppage-time goals to draw 4-4 with Aston Villa on Sunday, his final game in charge.
Who could replace him?
United have not named a successor. BBC Sport reports that a deal for USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino is being finalised, while Sky Sports says United have an agreement in place with the former Tottenham and Chelsea manager. Both outlets report that Pochettino is likely to lead the USA in their two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against Haiti before starting at United.
United's next Premier League game is away to Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday 22 November, kick-off 16:30 UK.
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