Manchester United Set to Sack Michael Carrick
Manchester United are set to sack Michael Carrick after their worst start to a season in 40 years, according to reports on Tuesday. The Manchester United sack Carrick story has moved fast, with talks now open with United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
United sit 18th in the Premier League, in the relegation zone, after an eight-match winless run. The club’s hierarchy have been reviewing the team’s miserable form, and Carrick’s future will be decided at a meeting in Monaco on Wednesday.
The meeting will be attended by influential shareholder Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox. No final decision has been made, but Berrada and Wilcox are reportedly leaning towards dismissal, and an announcement could come on Thursday.
Carrick was seen arriving at Carrington on Wednesday morning, but it appears to be only a matter of time before his reign ends.
Pochettino talks open
Manchester United have opened talks with Mauricio Pochettino about replacing Carrick, British media reported on Wednesday. Pochettino has wide experience of the Premier League after spells in charge of Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea.
United have spoken to him about the job three times before: when Mourinho was sacked in 2018, before Ten Hag’s appointment in 2022, and when Ten Hag was sacked in 2024.
There is a catch. It was only three months ago that Pochettino signed a contract extension to stay with the United States through to the 2030 World Cup. US Soccer would be due compensation if he moved to Manchester, with reports putting the buyout at around $10 million, about £7.5 million.
Former Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, ex-Chelsea chief Antonio Conte and former Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann have also been linked with the United job.
Manchester United sack Carrick: how he reached this point
The 45-year-old had been granted a stay of execution after he was widely expected to be sacked in late October following a 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth. United’s surprise decision to let Carrick carry on failed to produce a clear improvement in results, above all in defence.
They were beaten 2-0 at Chelsea, then scrambled a last-gasp 3-2 win against Roma in the Champions League after falling two goals down. It looked certain that Carrick would be on his way out when his team twice trailed by two goals against Aston Villa on Sunday.
When United scored twice in stoppage time to rescue an improbable 4-4 draw, it was read as a positive sign for Carrick, since the players were still fighting for him. But United’s powerbrokers now look set to make yet another managerial change in a bid to avoid being dragged into an embarrassing relegation battle.
Carrick has presided over United’s slide to 18th place, their lowest position 10 games into a top-flight season since 1986-87, when they were 20th. He was hired on a permanent basis in the close season after leading United to a third-place finish in the Premier League during his spell as interim boss.
He had won praise for steadying the ship after Ruben Amorim’s volatile reign ended in the sack in January. But, hampered by the club’s underwhelming recruitment in the transfer window, his team have endured a steep decline this term.
A club stuck in a cycle
United have not won the title since Alex Ferguson’s final season in 2012-13, and the summer window brought only midfielders Youri Tielemans, Carlos Baleba and Andrey Santos, despite the clear need for new forwards.
Carrick has also struggled to keep discipline in his squad. He dropped captain Bruno Fernandes after the midfielder criticised his manager’s tactics during a 4-1 thrashing at Champions League debutants Como. He also axed Lisandro Martinez after the defender criticised the club’s hierarchy for their lack of top-quality signings.
The churn is familiar: Amorim was sacked in January, Carrick steadied the side and earned the job full time, and now he faces the sack less than a year later. United’s problems were plain in October, when Chelsea beat Carrick’s side, and Deschamps has also been linked with the job.
The Villa draw showed the fight is still there, but the league table does not lie. Barcelona beat Aston Villa 3-0 in the Champions League this week, which shows the level Villa can reach, yet United could only draw with them at home.
What happens next
United have the rest of the two-week international break to settle their managerial situation before returning to action at bitter rivals Liverpool on November 22. If Pochettino is the choice, the release clause and the US Soccer talks will need to be settled first. The Monaco meeting will decide Carrick’s fate, and the choice that follows will shape a season that has already gone badly wrong.
Frequently asked questions
Is Michael Carrick being sacked by Manchester United?
Reports say Carrick is set to be sacked after United’s worst start in 40 years. His future will be decided at a meeting in Monaco on Wednesday, and an announcement could come on Thursday.
Who could replace Michael Carrick at Manchester United?
Manchester United have opened talks with Mauricio Pochettino, the United States head coach. Eddie Howe, Antonio Conte and Julian Nagelsmann have also been linked with the job.
Why would Pochettino cost Manchester United money?
Pochettino signed a contract extension with the United States three months ago, running to the 2030 World Cup. The BBC reports he has a $10 million release clause, about £7.5 million.
Where are Manchester United in the Premier League?
United are 18th after 10 games, in the relegation zone, following an eight-match winless run. It is their lowest position at this stage of a season since 1986-87.
