The Winners and Losers From Michael Carrick’s Man Utd Sacking
Michael Carrick restored Manchester United to the Champions League. Just two-and-a-half months into the following season, he is gone—and another managerial change leaves familiar questions about those above him.
Manchester United have fallen back into an all-too-familiar cycle since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure, parting ways with another manager who initially offered so much promise.
Carrick’s back-to-basics approach worked wonders after he succeeded Ruben Amorim at the start of 2026. A beloved former player, he reintegrated fan favorites and gave Bruno Fernandes the platform to lead United back into the Champions League. No Premier League team collected more points after his arrival as interim manager last season, with United finishing third.
That turnaround persuaded INEOS to give him the job permanently. A tougher 2026–27 campaign was always likely, with European fixtures adding to the workload and expectations rising. Few, however, anticipated such a dismal start. The early optimism has evaporated, with even the prospect of a relegation battle entering the discussion.
Carrick’s departure creates opportunities for some and uncertainty for others. Here are the winners and losers from United’s latest change in the dugout.
Winners
Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox
The decision-makers escape the immediate fallout
United supporters have made clear that Carrick is not the person they hold most responsible for the club’s plight. After last month’s 3–0 defeat to Bournemouth, the players followed their manager toward the tunnel and faced a chorus of discontent once he was out of sight.
This is a squad assembled by Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox. Both were regarded as major appointments when they arrived in 2024, yet both have quickly become unpopular figures in Manchester.
They ultimately decided Carrick’s fate while avoiding the same immediate consequences themselves. Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s frugality may have constrained them, but the squad they built did not give Carrick the best chance of succeeding.
United failed to capitalize on the momentum of his interim spell, making a limited attempt to reshape midfield while leaving other areas untouched. Carrick had flaws of his own, but those above him also left him short-handed.
Berrada and Wilcox now get to choose his successor. Mauricio Pochettino appears the most likely candidate, although the underlying question remains whether the next manager will receive enough support—or simply become the next fall guy.
Joshua Zirkzee
A new manager could offer the fresh start that has eluded Zirkzee. Despite United’s problems up front, he has not started a single game this season.
Benjamin Šeško’s injury problems have contributed to United’s malaise. The Slovenian improved toward the end of his debut campaign, but a persistent shin issue restricted him to 206 minutes across all competitions before Carrick’s dismissal.
With Šeško back in the treatment room, Carrick tried Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo in central roles. Zirkzee was frequently overlooked, despite the manager saying at the start of September that he believed in the Dutchman.
“I’m telling you, Josh can do some really top things. I’ve seen it myself, and I’m looking forward to him doing that a little bit more,” Carrick said.
Those words did not translate into starts. Limited to cameos, Zirkzee nevertheless scored a consolation goal in the chastening Champions League defeat at Como and helped inspire United’s dramatic late comeback against Aston Villa on Sunday.
He thrived at Bologna but has struggled to make a convincing impact in Manchester, even before Carrick’s arrival. His strengths arguably suit a facilitating role more than those of a conventional center forward.
A different manager may find a way to use him. If that opportunity also fails to produce a breakthrough, a return to a slower-paced league on the continent could become the more suitable route.
Losers
Lisandro Martínez
Martínez’s comments after last month’s defeat to Atlético Madrid went to the heart of United’s problems. He questioned the investment in the squad while acknowledging that the players also needed to deliver more.
“I expect more [investment], 100%. I expect more from our technical director [Jason Wilcox]. I have to be honest: as players, we have to do more, but it is also important, when you make a strong squad, to be ready for this kind of night. Last season we did everything; we created the base to create an amazing team.”
Lisandro Martínez, after the defeat to Atlético Madrid
United did too little over the summer to prepare for a considerably more demanding campaign. Martínez’s own performances have fallen short this season, but his frustrations over the squad’s construction were understandable. Carrick has now paid the price for shortcomings that extended beyond the manager.
“You can’t keep changing, changing, changing the manager. What about other areas?” Martínez asked. The latest dismissal leaves that concern unresolved.
Marcus Rashford
The manager who welcomed him back has gone.
For a long time, Rashford appeared to have no future at United. His loan move to Barcelona promised a fresh start, but the La Liga champions declined to sign him permanently and instead brought in fellow England international Anthony Gordon.
Rashford retains the talent to change games, yet his substantial salary has deterred potential suitors. He remains one of United’s highest earners, and Barcelona’s decision to send him back opened the door for Carrick to reintegrate the academy graduate.
The pair had been teammates under Louis van Gaal, and Rashford felt comfortable returning under Carrick after his exile during Amorim’s tenure. There were reasons to hope he could rediscover his best form, including an impressive performance at Everton in September.
But Carrick’s faith had already begun to fade before his departure. Rashford has not registered a goal contribution this season, lost his place in the starting XI and then suffered an injury.
His next manager may be less inclined to give him the prominence Carrick initially envisaged when bringing him back into the fold.
Kobbie Mainoo
Overlooked by Amorim, Mainoo was revitalized by Carrick. He now loses a manager who consistently backed his ability on the ball.
Mainoo’s form in the second half of last season earned him a new contract in April and a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England World Cup squad. He did not play a minute in North America, but his selection reflected the resurgence that followed Carrick’s return to the Old Trafford touchline.
He flourished alongside Casemiro. United sought to compensate for the experienced midfielder’s departure by signing Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba over the summer. All three have qualities, and the club’s spending initially drew praise while rivals were accused of paying too much to rebuild their midfields.
It remains too early to dismiss those arrivals, but none has yet brought the best out of Mainoo—or benefited fully from playing alongside him. Casemiro had provided the ideal foil, while Carrick’s measured approach gave the academy graduate dependable support. United are winless in 2026 when Mainoo has not played.
There are nevertheless clear weaknesses in his work without the ball. Carrick was prepared to accommodate them because of what Mainoo offered in possession. His successor may take a less forgiving view, as Tuchel did during the summer.
