Michael Carrick has thanked Manchester United supporters for standing by him during a difficult final spell at Old Trafford, insisting his love for the club “never dies” after his dismissal on Thursday, November 12. The former midfielder's farewell message came just hours before the club confirmed Mauricio Pochettino as his permanent successor, bringing an abrupt end to a managerial tenure that had unravelled after a disastrous start to the 2026-27 season.
Carrick published an emotional statement on Instagram on Friday, November 13, shortly after Pochettino's appointment was announced, reflecting on the privilege of managing the club he had represented for more than a decade as a player. “I've had the immense privilege of leading Manchester United, the football club that I love,” Carrick wrote. “There are very few who get to live that and feel it, and for that I'm incredibly grateful. “With that comes huge responsibility, and to be at Manchester United, you need to understand exactly what that means. It's different to anywhere else.” The 45-year-old reserved particular appreciation for the supporters, whose backing he said had remained constant despite the team's increasingly poor results. Carrick won only one of his final 10 Premier League matches, but insisted that the response from fans had meant more to him than victories. “I want to say a big thank you to the supporters. I must say, you are a special, rare breed,” he wrote. “We've had some great times this year and moments we'll all remember. The best thing about being in my position was seeing so many of you lose yourselves in the emotion of those moments, leaving the stadium desperate to come back again next time. “I just wanted to give you something back. That love never dies.” He acknowledged that the team's recent performances had fallen short, but said the supporters had continued to show him affection when results might have encouraged them to turn against the manager. “I know we've not had the results lately, but you've shown me nothing but love and support in times when the easiest thing, and what most end up doing, would be to turn the other way,” he wrote. “That means more than a win or two.”
Carrick also thanked his coaching staff, the club's employees and the players who had worked with him during his time in charge. He concluded by making clear that his connection with United would continue despite his departure from the dugout. “I want nothing but success for Manchester United,” he wrote. “This club has been such a big part of my life and that will never change. I'll always be proud to have played my part and I'll always want the very best for it. “I'll be right there with you from now on, watching from the sidelines, cheering the lads on.”
Carrick's dismissal came after a collapse in form that left United 18th in the Premier League, inside the relegation zone, and enduring their worst start to a top-flight season in 40 years. The former midfielder had signed a new two-year contract in May, committing himself to the club until 2028 after an encouraging spell as interim manager. He had initially returned to Old Trafford in January following Ruben Amorim's departure and helped guide United to third place in the Premier League last season. That improvement, along with his work in stabilising a previously divided dressing room, earned him the permanent appointment. The new campaign, however, deteriorated rapidly. Across 15 competitive matches in 2026-27, United managed three wins, five draws and seven defeats. They had recorded only one Premier League victory all season, a 5-2 home win over Ipswich Town in late August, and endured an eight-match winless run in the league.
The problems began on the opening day, when United lost 2-0 to newly promoted Hull City. A home defeat to Manchester City followed, before Brighton eliminated them in the third round of the EFL Cup. The results left Carrick under early pressure, but October brought a more damaging combination of performances and reported tension inside the dressing room. A 4-1 Champions League defeat away to Como intensified scrutiny of his tactics. United captain Bruno Fernandes reportedly questioned Carrick's approach, while a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth four days later pushed the manager closer to dismissal. According to reports from The Guardian and BBC Sport, the club's hierarchy gave Carrick three matches after the Bournemouth loss to demonstrate that he could reverse the decline. United briefly offered signs of recovery, producing a 3-2 Champions League comeback victory against Roma before scoring twice in stoppage time to salvage a chaotic 4-4 draw against Aston Villa. Those results were not enough to secure his position. A 2-0 defeat away to Chelsea, combined with United's continued slide down the table, proved decisive. Carrick was dismissed on November 12, only five months after being appointed permanent manager.
United confirmed Mauricio Pochettino as Carrick's permanent replacement on Friday, November 13, shifting the focus towards an immediate attempt to rescue their Premier League campaign. The 54-year-old Argentine coach steps into Old Trafford from his previous role leading the U.S. Men's National Team, bringing deep Premier League pedigree from memorable spells in charge of Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and Southampton. Known for his high-pressing tactical style and ability to develop young talent, Pochettino arrives with the urgent task of lifting a side that has struggled across domestic and European competition, restoring confidence in the dressing room, and moving the club away from the relegation places.
His appointment also brings an end to Carrick's brief spell as permanent manager, although the former midfielder's earlier work as interim coach had initially persuaded the club to give him the job. His farewell message offered no public criticism of the decision or the club's leadership. Instead, Carrick returned to the relationship that had defined much of his time at Old Trafford, thanking supporters for their loyalty and making clear that he would remain invested in the team's fortunes, even from outside the dugout.
