Manchester United sacks Michael Carrick after poor season start

Club languishes in Premier League relegation zone

Manchester United is currently positioned in the Premier League relegation zone. The team has secured only eight points from their first 10 matches of the current campaign.

Facebook reported that more than a quarter of the season has already been completed.

Carrick's tenure ends after 15 matches this season

Michael Carrick was removed from his role as head coach following a disastrous run of form. Pressure had been building on him prior to his departure. Carrick previously took over the managerial role in January 2026 after the departure of Ruben Amorim.

He had rejoined the club in January 2026 and led the team to a third-place finish last season by winning 12 of their final 17 matches. The club hired him in May 2026 on a contract extending to 2028 after his successful period as interim manager.

Under his leadership this season, the team achieved only three wins across 15 matches in all competitions. These victories included home wins against Ipswich, Sabah, and Roma.

Internal tensions and player criticism

Squad friction became public as Bruno Fernandes questioned Carrick's tactics after a 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como. Carrick responded by dropping the captain from the team.

Defender Lisandro Martinez criticized the club's hierarchy, specifically citing a lack of high-quality signings during the transfer window. Martinez also directed criticism toward the director of football, Jason Wilcox.

Mauricio Pochettino expected to succeed Carrick

Mauricio Pochettino is expected to replace Michael Carrick as the new head coach. Manchester United is currently in the process of hiring the manager, who is presently managing the United States national team.

The club is preparing for his arrival.

Pochettino previously managed Tottenham, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain. He signed a contract extension with the United States national team three months ago that runs through the 2030 World Cup.

Historical context of managerial changes since 2013

Manchester United has named eight managers since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013. This total includes Ralf Rangnick, who was the interim manager for five months.

Final match and upcoming fixture against Liverpool

United rallied from a two-goal deficit to secure that result.

The club's next scheduled match is against Liverpool at Anfield on November 22, 2026.

Previous season success and Champions League qualification

Carrick led United to Champions League qualification during the previous season. He achieved 12 wins and three draws in his 17 matches during that period.