Manchester United Sack Michael Carrick After Worst League Start Leaves Club in Relegation Zone

Manchester United have sacked Michael Carrick as head coach following a disappointing start to the 2026/27 season that has left the Premier League giants in the relegation zone.

The club confirmed Carrick’s departure on Thursday, November 12, 2026, bringing an end to his second spell at Old Trafford after the team managed just eight points from their opening 10 league matches.

In an official statement, Manchester United said the decision followed a difficult start to the campaign and that a managerial change was considered necessary to achieve the club’s ambitions.

“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,” the statement read.

Carrick’s dismissal followed Sunday’s dramatic 4-4 draw against Aston Villa at Old Trafford. The result left United 18th in the 20-team Premier League table, with only one league victory from their first 10 matches.

The club had also endured a nine-match winless run across competitions, recording just three victories in their first 15 matches of the campaign. The poor results included defeats to Bournemouth and Chelsea, although United secured a Champions League victory over Roma during the difficult period.

Carrick, 45, initially returned to Manchester United in January 2026 as interim head coach following the departure of Ruben Amorim.

He made an encouraging impact, guiding the team to a third-place finish in the Premier League and qualification for the UEFA Champions League. His successful spell earned him a permanent contract in May 2026.

Manchester United’s statement credited Carrick with winning 12 of the remaining 17 Premier League matches after his return, helping the club secure third place and achieve its highest points tally in the league during that period.

The club also praised his professionalism, dedication and leadership, describing him as a Manchester United legend whose contributions as both a player and coach would be remembered.

However, the team’s performances deteriorated significantly after the start of the new campaign, with defensive weaknesses and a prolonged run of disappointing results increasing pressure on the former England international.

Meanwhile, former Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino has agreed to become Manchester United’s next head coach.

Reports from Sky Sports on Thursday night said the Argentine had reached an agreement with the club on a two-and-a-half-year contract expected to run until the summer of 2029.

Pochettino, who currently manages the United States men’s national team, is expected to take charge at Old Trafford after overseeing the USA’s upcoming international fixtures against Haiti. The formal announcement was expected on Friday, November 13.

The reported agreement represents another major managerial change for United as the club continues its search for stability following the departure of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.

Ferguson guided Manchester United to 13 Premier League titles during his 27-year reign, but the club has struggled to reproduce that sustained domestic success since his retirement.

Manchester United now face a difficult assignment in their next league fixture, an away meeting with fierce rivals Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, November 22, 2026.

The club will hope the managerial transition can help revive its campaign and move the team away from the relegation places.

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