Man United have announced the sacking of Head Coach Michael Carrick less than six months after giving him the permanent job.
The Red Devils have endured their worst start to a season in 40 years, as they currently sit in the relegation zone in the Premier League after 9 matches, having not won a league game since beating newly-promoted Ipswich Town in August.
United aren’t in great shape in the cup competitions either, having suffered heavy defeats to Atletico Madrid and Como and getting knocked out of the Carabao Cup to Brighton.
Carrick returned to the club he spent 12 years as a player at back in January, replacing Portuguese boss Ruben Amorim after he fell out with the board.
The former England midfielder got off to a great start by beating Man City and Arsenal in his first two matches as United looked rejuvenated after the chaotic Amorim era. He won 12 out of his 17 league games to end the season as United secured Champions League football before he was offered the permanent job in late May.
And when it just began to look like things may be turning around at Old Trafford, INEOS and the recruitment team failed to capitalise and produced a disappointing transfer window.
The club addressed their problem in midfield by spending nearly €180million on Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba, but failed to upgrade a defence that has been leaky and insufficient at the top level for some time.
Carrick’s first full campaign in charge started as it meant to get on with a 2-0 shock defeat away at newly promoted Hull City. The form hasn’t recovered since, with Man United losing four times in the league and registering one win as they now sit in 18th place in the Premier League relegation zone.
Carrick now becomes the seventh permanent manager sacked since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, with current USA boss Mauricio Pochettino in line to replace him.
MANCHESTER UNITED STATEMENT ON CARRICK SACKING
In a statement, the club 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.
‘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.’
