Manchester United Confirm Carrick’s Departure as Club Statement Hails ‘Legend’

Manchester United have confirmed that Michael Carrick has departed his role as men’s first-team head coach following a disastrous start to the 2026/27 season.

The 45-year-old leaves Old Trafford with United languishing in 18th place in the Premier League, having won just one of their opening ten league matches. The club has taken just eight points from those fixtures and sits firmly in the relegation zone.

Mauricio Pochettino, currently in charge of the United States men’s national team, has been lined up as Carrick’s successor and is expected to take the reins ahead of United’s trip to Liverpool on 22 November.

Club Statement in Full

A statement released by the club on Thursday morning read:

“Manchester United can confirm that Michael Carrick has departed his role as men’s first-team head coach.

“Michael rejoined the club in January and guided the team to a third-placed Premier League finish by winning 12 out of the remaining 17 games of the 2025/26 season, accumulating the highest points tally in the league during that period.

“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.

“Michael is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend. Just as he did as a player, he has conducted himself with the highest standards of dedication and professionalism throughout his time back with the club.

“His leadership and achievements last season will always be fondly remembered.

“The club intends to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible.”

How the Decision Was Made

The decision to part ways with Carrick was ratified by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe following the recommendation of chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox.

Berrada travelled to Monaco on Wednesday for a summit with Ratcliffe and Wilcox, where the trio concluded that a change in the dugout was necessary. Carrick was then informed by Berrada at the club’s Carrington training ground on Thursday morning.

Carrick was pictured leaving Carrington shortly before the club released its official statement.

A Season That Unravelled Quickly

Carrick oversaw just three wins from 15 games in all competitions this season. His final match in charge was the chaotic 4-4 draw with Aston Villa, during which Unai Emery’s side twice led by two goals.

The warning signs came early. United suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to newly promoted Hull City on the opening weekend and then threw away a two-goal lead in a 3-2 Carabao Cup loss to Brighton.

A heavy 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League in October proved a watershed moment, with Bruno Fernandes launching a post-match outburst that laid bare the dressing room tensions. Four days later, a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth deepened the crisis further.

A 3-2 win over Roma in the Champions League offered a brief reprieve, but the damage had already been done.

From Hero to the Exit Door in 173 Days

Carrick was initially handed the role on an interim basis in January following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal. He masterminded a surprise 2-0 victory over Manchester City in his first game in charge and went on to win 12 of the remaining 17 matches to end the season.

That run saw United finish third in the Premier League and secure a return to the Champions League for the first time since 2023. On the back of those results, Carrick signed a two-year contract to become permanent manager in May.

He has now been sacked just 173 days after putting pen to paper on that deal. His departure means United have fired a manager midway through each of the last three seasons: Erik ten Hag was sacked in October 2024, Amorim was dismissed in January 2026, and Carrick now follows them out the door in November 2026.

Pochettino Lined Up as Successor

United are understood to be close to an agreement with Mauricio Pochettino, who is currently managing the United States men’s national team. The club have already made contact with US Soccer as they push forward with plans to install the Argentine as Carrick’s replacement.

Pochettino’s release clause from US Soccer stands at $10 million (£7.5m), with the cost of his backroom staff, including assistant Jesus Perez, potentially adding another $2 million to the bill.

The 54-year-old, who has previously managed Southampton, Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, is expected to oversee the United States’ CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final matches against Haiti on 14 and 17 November before taking charge at Old Trafford.

United’s next fixture is against Liverpool at Anfield on 22 November, and it is anticipated that Pochettino will be in the dugout for that match.

Reaction and What Comes Next

The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust responded to the news by calling on the club’s ownership to provide answers. “It is time for the owners to explain themselves,” the trust said.

Former United defender Rio Ferdinand also weighed in, saying: “Personally I am disappointed that they have got rid of him.”

The sacking marks the third time in three consecutive seasons that United have changed manager mid-campaign, a level of instability that has left supporters increasingly frustrated with the direction of the club under Ratcliffe’s stewardship.

With the international break providing a narrow window for transition, all eyes now turn to whether Pochettino can steady a sinking ship before United’s daunting trip to Anfield.