Manchester United sack Carrick after worst start in 40 years

Manchester United sacked head coach Michael Carrick on Thursday, Nov. 12, with the club 18th in the Premier League and in the relegation zone. United States coach Mauricio Pochettino has been lined up to replace him. Manchester United ↘ 3.71% said it had reached "the extremely difficult conclusion that a change is necessary in order to achieve our ambitions" after "a disappointing start to the season," according to the club statement published by the Evening Standard. The club said it plans to appoint a permanent successor "as quickly as possible."sports.yahoo.com

United have won one of their first 10 league matches, with five draws and four losses, which ESPN calls their worst-ever start to a league season. Carrick was dismissed 173 days after signing a two-year deal to become permanent manager, the Evening Standard reported.africa.espn.com+1

A drawn-out exit

Chief executive Omar Berrada told Carrick the decision at the Carrington training ground on Thursday morning. That followed a meeting in Monaco on Wednesday between Berrada, minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and director of football Jason Wilcox, according to the Evening Standard. The Telegraph described "an unedifying spectacle," with Carrick taking training on Tuesday and Wednesday even though it had been clear since late Monday that he was leaving. Carrick had already been given a reprieve on Oct. 26 after heavy defeats by Como and Bournemouth.telegraph.co.uk+1

His last match was a 4-4 home draw with Aston Villa on Nov. 8. United fell 2-0 behind inside four minutes before late goals rescued a point, MyJoyOnline reported. United have now fired a manager midway through each of the last three seasons, ESPN noted.espn.com+1

Pochettino in pole position

According to ESPN, United are close to an agreement with Pochettino and have contacted the U.S. Soccer Federation. His release clause is reported at $10 million (£7.5 million), and his staff, including assistant Jesús Pérez, could cost about another $2 million. The Irish Independent reported that United will also owe at least £5 million in compensation to Carrick and his assistants, Steve Holland and Jonathan Woodgate.independent.ie+1

Pochettino is expected to coach the U.S. in both Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal games against Haiti, on Saturday, Nov. 14, and Tuesday, Nov. 17, ESPN reported. His first match in charge of United would then be at Liverpool on Sunday, Nov. 22, Sports Mole reported.espn.com+1

From saviour to sacked

Carrick took over as interim boss in January after Ruben Amorim left. United won 12 of their remaining 17 games in 2025/26, finished third and qualified for the Champions League, the club said. United will now be hiring their eighth permanent head coach since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, MyJoyOnline noted.myjoyonline.com+1

In its statement, the club called Carrick "a Manchester United legend" and said "his leadership and achievements last season will always be fondly remembered."