Carrick sacked by Man Utd with Pochettino appointment expected
Michael Carrick has been sacked as Manchester United’s head coach after a dreadful start to the season left the club 18th in the Premier League. United States boss Mauricio Pochettino is widely expected to replace him.
Premier League
Speculation over Carrick’s future had intensified ahead of the international break. Even Sunday’s remarkable 4-4 draw with Aston Villa, in which United recovered from both 2-0 and 4-2 down, could not prevent a change in the dugout.
It was the first time a team had come back from two goals behind to equalise twice in a single Premier League match. Yet United are guaranteed to spend at least 15 days in the relegation zone — their longest uninterrupted spell there since September and October 1986, when they spent 26 days in the First Division’s bottom three.
That was also the last time United occupied a worse league position at least 10 games into a campaign, sitting 20th. Ron Atkinson was dismissed that November, with Alex Ferguson taking over and going on to spend 27 years at the club.
This time, Antonio Conte, Julian Nagelsmann and Eddie Howe had all been linked with the job. Pochettino, however, is widely expected to become United’s third permanent manager since Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS took control of football operations in February 2024.
“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 statement paid tribute to Carrick: “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.”
United added: “The club intends to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible.”
From third place to the bottom three
Carrick had initially transformed United’s fortunes after replacing Ruben Amorim on an interim basis in January. He led the club to third place in the Premier League and was rewarded with a two-year contract in the summer.
| Measure | 2025-26 | 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 17 | 15 |
| Wins | 12 | 3 |
| Win rate | 70% | 20% |
| Goals scored per game | 1.94 | 1.60 |
| Goals conceded per game | 1.05 | 2.00 |
The defensive decline has been particularly severe. United have conceded 30 goals across all competitions, the joint-second highest total among clubs in Europe’s top five leagues. Only Lens have conceded more, with 31; Crystal Palace, Sassuolo and Getafe have also let in 30.
United have not kept a clean sheet in their first 10 Premier League games this season. Their only league victory was a 5-2 win over newly promoted Ipswich Town in August, followed by eight matches without a win — five draws and three defeats.
They are the first top-flight side since Liverpool in 1966-67 to concede in each of their opening 10 league matches after finishing in the top three the previous season.
Supporter frustration has extended beyond the manager. Old Trafford witnessed protests against INEOS and the Glazer family on Sunday, while United’s players have faced fierce criticism throughout the campaign.
After last month’s 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth, large sections of the crowd applauded Carrick as he walked down the tunnel before booing the players off.
Carrick, who also had a brief spell as caretaker manager in 2021, finishes his second stint in the United dugout with a 47% win rate. That remains the highest of any permanent United manager during the INEOS era, ahead of Amorim’s 38% and Erik ten Hag’s 35%.
