Manchester United have dismissed Michael Carrick as head coach following a disastrous start to the 2026/27 season that has left the club in the Premier League relegation zone.
The decision was reported on Thursday, November 12, 2026, after United managed just one victory in their opening 10 league matches.
Former Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Carrick, with reports indicating that an agreement in principle has been reached.
Carrick’s exit follows Sunday’s 4-4 draw against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on November 8. United twice trailed by two goals before late strikes from Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu secured a point, leaving the club 18th in the standings with eight points.
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Pochettino, who currently manages the United States men’s national team, would need to secure his release from his existing contract, which runs until the 2030 FIFA World Cup, before taking the Old Trafford job.
Carrick initially returned to United as interim manager in January 2026 following Ruben Amorim’s departure. He earned the permanent position on May 22 after guiding the team to third place in the previous Premier League season and securing Champions League qualification.
His interim spell had included notable victories over Manchester City and Arsenal, but United’s subsequent decline ultimately cost him the job.
His dismissal adds to the managerial instability that has troubled the club since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, as United prepare for another change in leadership in their bid to revive their fortunes.