Manchester United Dismiss Michael Carrick After Poor Start Leaves Club in Relegation Zone

What happened

Manchester United have dismissed Michael Carrick from his position as head coach, the club confirmed in a statement on its official website on Thursday, according to a report by ANTARA News. The decision followed a run of poor results that left the club in the Premier League relegation zone in the 2026/2027 season.

Report details

The club said Carrick is no longer head coach of the men's first team and expressed appreciation for his contribution during his time in charge, stressing that the former England midfielder remains an important part of its history. "Michael is and will always be a Manchester United legend. As when he was a player, he showed dedication and professionalism to the highest standard during his return to manage the club. His leadership and achievements last season will always be remembered fondly," the club statement said.

Carrick returned to manage Manchester United in January 2026 and led the club to a third-place finish in the 2025/2026 Premier League season, winning 12 of their last 17 matches. However, performances declined at the start of the 2026/2027 campaign, leaving them 18th in the standings with eight points from 10 games: one win, five draws and four defeats. Their only win was a 5-2 victory over Ipswich Town on 30 August, a result that gave United one of their worst starts to a season in the Premier League era.

Before the dismissal was announced, several senior United figures, including football director Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada, were reported to have discussed Carrick's future. Former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur coach Mauricio Pochettino, currently in charge of the United States national team, was reported by Sky Sports to be a strong candidate to replace Carrick, with the two sides said to have reached an agreement in principle. United have not officially announced who will succeed Carrick, but the club said it intends to appoint a permanent replacement as soon as possible.