Manchester United sack Michael Carrick ten months after he replaced Amorim
The club confirmed on Thursday that Carrick has left, with United 18th in the Premier League after one win in ten league games. USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino is the reported favourite to succeed him.
Manchester United have announced Michael Carrick’s departure, the club confirmed on Thursday, with the team 18th in the Premier League. Its statement called him “a Manchester United legend” and said a permanent successor would be appointed as quickly as possible.
We can confirm Michael Carrick has departed his role as men’s first-team head coach.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 12, 2026
The timing uses the international break. United have one win in ten league games, with five draws and four defeats. By our count that is eight points, and it leaves them below the relegation line.
Why did Carrick go now?
Last weekend did not help. United drew 4-4 with Aston Villa at Old Trafford in a game settled by a late equaliser, a few days after coming from 2-0 down to beat Roma 3-2 in the Champions League. In Europe they sit 17th of 36.
The mood had been sour for weeks. On 25 October, Carrick left Bruno Fernandes on the bench in a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth, four days after the Portuguese captain had questioned the tactics in public. United have won one league game since.
A year of two halves
It is a steep fall for a coach who was cheered in May. Carrick came back in January as interim head coach after Rúben Amorim’s exit. He won 12 of his 17 league games, drew three and lost two, took United to third and back into the Champions League, and was given the job permanently.
This season the team has won three of 15 games in all competitions.
Who will be Manchester United’s next manager?
Mauricio Pochettino, the USA head coach, is the name the English press has as favourite, with reports of an agreement in principle. Nothing is official. The Argentine is under contract with US Soccer until mid-2030, and the same reports put his release clause at around £7 million, which United would need to negotiate.
There is not much time. When the league resumes, United’s first game is at Anfield against Liverpool on 22 November.
By Vasco Almada
Photo: Miguel Saddi Vitorino / Pexels