Man Utd sack Michael Carrick and expected to appoint Mauricio Pochettino

Michael Carrick has been sacked by Manchester United following a run of just one win from their first 10 games this season. Carrick was only appointed on a permanent basis in May, and despite coming back twice against Aston Villa to draw 4-4 before the international break, United currently sit 18th in the Premier League. This disastrous start to the new season has convinced the club to part ways with their former midfielder, who won five league titles and a Champions League as a player. The decision follows a crisis meeting in Monaco between co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox. In a statement on their website, United said: “Manchester United can confirm that Michael Carrick has departed his role as men’s first-team head coach. “Michael rejoined the club in January and guided the team to a third-placed Premier League finish by winning 12 out of the remaining 17 games of the 2025-26 season, accumulating the highest points tally in the league during that period. “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. We can confirm Michael Carrick has departed his role as men’s first-team head coach.— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 12, 2026 “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.“The club intends to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible.” His likely replacement, Mauricio Pochettino, is set to become United’s eighth head coach since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013 after joining from the US men’s national team. United are estimated to be spending £20m to get the Argentine and his backroom staff out of their US contracts, as well as paying off Carrick. The former Middlesbrough boss is set to make around £3m in compensation in being relieved from his duties, with several insiders close to the 45-year-old believing he will not rush back into management. Read more Pete Hall: Inside Carrick’s Man Utd sacking: ‘Broken promises’ and Holland’s backseat role Daniel Storey: Mauricio Pochettino would be another boneheaded move by Man Utd The i Paper also understands he is very settled in Cheshire, where his son is doing well at United’s academy. It means the club are set to pass the £100m mark in compensation payments to new managers and sporting directors in the post-Ferguson era. Pochettino, who previously managed Tottenham and Chelsea, is set to face a tough start to his United tenure with a trip to Anfield next Sunday.