Manchester United sacked Michael Carrick with immediate effect on Thursday, a decision that came against the backdrop of the club’s poor Premier League form and wider discussion over the head coach position.
Carrick’s dismissal and United’s recent results
Manchester United dismissed Carrick on Thursday and confirmed that the decision took effect immediately.
According to GOAL, Carrick had been in charge of Manchester United since 26 January 2026.
After 10 Premier League matches, Manchester United are third from bottom with 8 points.
Carrick led Manchester United to Champions League qualification last season.
Since the Bournemouth defeat, United have won one, drawn one and lost one.
Aston Villa draw and reaction to the season start
On 8 November, Manchester United drew 4-4 with Aston Villa after being 4-2 down.
Manchester United scored twice in stoppage time to secure the 4-4 draw with Aston Villa.
In his role as interviewer for Nordic broadcaster Viaplay, former Norway and Middlesbrough striker Jan Aage Fjortoft claimed United had lacked passion – something Carrick dismissed as “ridiculous”.
Carrick told the media afterwards: “It's one game”.
Asked how confident he was in his side's ability to react to a disappointing start to the season, Carrick snapped back: “It's not been that bad.”
Training arrangements and external views on Carrick
Carrick continued to lead training for Manchester United players who were not away with their countries.
The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell said: “Michael Carrick knows the industry but for #MUFC leaders to let him take training two days running while clearly working on his dismissal, with no real communication, is poor treatment. Carrick served United superbly as a player + worked diligently as head coach. Deserves better.”
Giving a rare opinion of his own, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano said on YouTube: “Personal opinion: It’s sad sad to see Man United treating Michael Carrick like this. Two training sessions taken by Michael Carrick when he was already almost out of Manchester United. Also, Carrick, I think you can like or don’t like him as a coach. You can have a positive or negative opinion, whatever. But Carrick did a very great job last season with Manchester United. This season has been very difficult for everyone, not just for Carrick, also for the players, the directors, the market. So, it’s been a very difficult season for United, but you can’t forget what he did and also he’s a United legend. So, to see these scenes every morning of Carrick arriving to the training, taking the training when at the same time the directors and the owners are already talking to their new manager, you know, it feels not great, let’s say like this.”
Pochettino’s background and the decision-making process
Mauricio Pochettino currently coaches the United States national team.
Pochettino has previously managed Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham, Paris Saint Germain and Chelsea.
According to TEAMtalk, the decision to dismiss Carrick was made by director of football Jason Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada, and their verdict was put to Sir Jim Ratcliffe at a meeting in Monaco on Wednesday.
