Official: Manchester United announce Michael Carrick sacking

Manchester United have announced Michael Carrick’s dismissal after a disastrous start to the campaign left the Red Devils 18th in the Premier League.

Manchester United have officially announced the dismissal of Michael Carrick, who took charge in January following Ruben Amorim’s exit. Despite his successful finish to last season, the club have opted for a change during the international break as the team languish in the relegation zone.

From Champions League qualification to the relegation zone

Carrick took over on 13 January 2026 after Ruben Amorim departed on 5 January and Darren Fletcher briefly filled in. He enjoyed an outstanding second half of the 2025-26 campaign, recording 12 wins, three draws and two defeats in 17 matches. United finished third in the league and secured a place in the Champions League, prompting the club to hand Carrick a permanent deal through 2028 in May.

The situation has since deteriorated sharply. After ten Premier League matches this season, United sit 18th with eight points from one win, five draws and four defeats. They have scored 14 goals and conceded 19. It is their lowest points tally after ten matches in the Premier League era. A dramatic 4-4 draw with Aston Villa did little to lift the pressure.

Carrick’s overall record and Pochettino as successor

Across all competitions since returning in January, Carrick has overseen 32 games: 15 wins, eight draws and nine defeats. The current campaign accounts for just three victories in 15 matches, alongside five draws and seven losses. That sharp drop in results has placed his future at the centre of the international-break agenda.

Mauricio Pochettino, currently head coach of the United States national team, is regarded as the leading candidate for the vacancy. Reports had already linked him with a potential change at Old Trafford. His appointment remains unconfirmed, and any switch would require an agreement over his US contract.

United return to action away at Liverpool on Sunday 22 November. If a managerial change is completed beforehand, the trip to Anfield could provide Pochettino with a demanding first assignment.

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Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI |

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Football web writer creating digital sports content with a focus on news, analysis and stories that reflect passion, accuracy and objectivity.

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