Manchester United have officially dismissed Michael Carrick as their men's first-team head coach, ending his spell at Old Trafford after a disappointing start to the 2026/27 season left the club in the Premier League relegation zone.
The club confirmed Carrick's departure on Thursday, November 12, 2026, saying a change in leadership was necessary to achieve its ambitions.
In an official statement, United said: “Manchester United can confirm that Michael Carrick has departed his role as men’s first-team head coach.”
The club acknowledged Carrick's contribution during the previous campaign, when he guided the team to third place in the Premier League after taking charge in January. However, United's poor results this season ultimately led the club's leadership to end his tenure.
Poor results leave Manchester United in relegation zone
Carrick's dismissal follows a difficult opening to the 2026/27 campaign, with Manchester United struggling to reproduce the form that earned them Champions League qualification last season.
At the time of his departure, United were 18th in the Premier League table, with eight points from their opening 10 matches. They had managed just one league victory and were on a nine-match winless run across competitions.
The team's disappointing performances increased pressure on Carrick, particularly after a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth and a 2-0 loss against Chelsea.
United's most recent league match before the announcement was a 4-4 draw against Aston Villa at Old Trafford. Although the team recovered from a difficult position to secure a point, the result was not enough to change the club's decision.
The poor league position represented a significant setback for a club that had entered the season hoping to build on its third-place finish from the previous campaign.
Carrick's impressive start could not save his job
Carrick initially returned to Manchester United in January 2026 after the departure of Ruben Amorim.
He was appointed on an interim basis and quickly made an impact, winning 12 of the remaining 17 Premier League matches of the 2025/26 season.
His results helped United finish third and secure qualification for the UEFA Champions League. The club also credited him with recording the highest points tally in the league during the period following his appointment.
His performances earned him a permanent contract in May, reportedly running until 2028.
However, the former midfielder could not maintain that momentum into the new season. United's performances deteriorated, and the club's hierarchy eventually concluded that a managerial change was necessary.
In its statement, the club described the decision as extremely difficult but maintained that it was required to meet its ambitions.
United also paid tribute to Carrick, describing him as a club legend and praising his dedication, professionalism and leadership during his time back at Old Trafford.
Mauricio Pochettino emerges as leading successor
Manchester United are already moving towards appointing a replacement, with former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino emerging as the leading candidate.
Reports from British media indicate that United have reached an agreement in principle with the Argentine coach, who is currently managing the United States men's national team.
Pochettino recently extended his agreement with the US Soccer Federation, meaning United would need to negotiate his release before he could take over at Old Trafford.
Sky Sports reported that United had reached a full agreement with Pochettino, while other reports indicated that the club was working through the contractual and administrative requirements of his departure from the United States set-up.
The reported release fee is approximately £7 million. However, Manchester United had not formally announced his appointment in the club statement confirming Carrick's departure.
Pochettino has previously been considered for the Manchester United job, including during the club's managerial search in 2022. His potential arrival would represent another attempt by United's leadership to establish stability and return the team to regular competition for major honours.
Carrick's coaching staff also set to depart
Carrick's departure is expected to bring significant changes to Manchester United's coaching structure.
Reports indicate that several members of his backroom team, including Jonny Evans, Jonathan Woodgate, Steve Holland, Travis Binnion and goalkeeping coach Craig Mawson, will also leave the club.
Their departures would allow the incoming head coach to assemble a new coaching team and introduce his preferred methods.
The changes underline the scale of the restructuring taking place at Old Trafford as United attempt to address their poor start to the season.
The club has said it intends to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible.
Another managerial change in Manchester United's post-Ferguson era
Carrick's dismissal adds another chapter to Manchester United's prolonged search for stability since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
The club has struggled to establish a sustained period of success under successive managers, with changes in leadership often followed by fresh rebuilding plans.
Carrick's situation is particularly notable because he had initially delivered the results needed to restore Champions League football. His third-place finish in the previous campaign had raised expectations that United could build a more competitive team under his leadership.
Instead, the poor opening to the new season has brought his appointment to an abrupt end.
For United supporters, attention will now turn to the club's next managerial appointment and whether a new coach can improve results quickly enough to move the team away from the relegation zone.
The timing is also significant, with the international break providing the club with an opportunity to complete its managerial transition before domestic football resumes.
Manchester United's next league fixture is against Liverpool at Anfield on November 22, making the upcoming appointment particularly important for a team in urgent need of improvement.
Carrick leaves Old Trafford having delivered Champions League qualification and a third-place league finish in his first spell as head coach, but his second season has ended after a run of results that the club's leadership considered unacceptable.
The search for a new manager now begins as Manchester United attempt to rescue their 2026/27 campaign.
