Manchester United have sacked head coach Michael Carrick less than six months after handing him a two-year contract, with former Tottenham and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino lined up to take over.
The club confirmed Carrick’s departure on Thursday, November 12, following a disappointing start to the 2026-27 season that has left United in the Premier League relegation zone.
In a statement, United said they had reached “the extremely difficult conclusion that a change is necessary in order to achieve our ambitions”.
The club added that it intended to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible.
Sky Sports reports that United have reached a verbal agreement with Pochettino, who currently manages the United States men's national team. The Argentine is expected to complete his commitments with the USA before taking charge at Old Trafford.
Pochettino is scheduled to lead the United States in its Nations League matches against Haiti on Saturday and Wednesday before beginning work at United next Thursday.
Sky Sports also reports that Pochettino has a £7 million release clause in his recently signed contract with the United States Soccer Federation.
Carrick’s dismissal follows a poor run of results, with United recording just one win in their first 10 Premier League matches and falling into the relegation zone.
Their last match under him was a 4-4 draw against Aston Villa on Sunday. United twice came from two goals behind but the comeback was not enough to save the former midfielder’s job.
Carrick was initially appointed in January 2026 following the departure of Ruben Amorim. He guided United to 12 wins in 17 matches, helping the club finish third in the Premier League and secure Champions League qualification.
His performances earned him a nomination for Premier League Manager of the Season, before he signed a new contract running until 2028 on May 22.
However, United managed only three wins in 15 matches across all competitions this season, prompting the club’s hierarchy to make a change.
The decision was ratified by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe at a meeting in Monaco, following recommendations from chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox.
Carrick’s departure is another managerial change in United’s search for stability since former manager Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
Pochettino, who has previously managed Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, has been considered for the United job on several occasions.
If appointed, he will become the club’s eighth permanent head coach since Ferguson’s departure.
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