Carrick sacked as Manchester United manager after horror run

Manchester United has sacked manager Michael Carrick after 10 months in charge, enduring a horror run that has seen the 20-time English champions sit in the Premier League relegation zone.

United has won only three of its 15 matches in all competitions under Carrick this season, and scrambled to a 4-4 home draw against Aston Villa last Sunday.

Due to the international break, Manchester United is not in action again until November 22, when the Red Devils face arch rivals Liverpool at Anfield.

Michael Carrick has been sacked as Manchester United manager, becoming the latest casualty of the English Premier League giant's revolving door of coaches.

The club has won only three of its 15 matches in all competitions under Carrick this season — including just one league victory — to sit in the relegation zone.

Despite a massive budget and a star-studded squad, the Red Devils are in 18th spot on eight points after 10 games, one point from the bottom.

With Manchester United not in action again until November 22 due to the international break, the club issued a statement on Thursday morning.

"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," it said on its website.

Sky Sports is reporting that former Tottenham and Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, the current United States head coach, is set to take over following a verbal agreement in principle, but United is still negotiating terms for his backroom staff.

The 45-year-old's departure after just 10 months in charge continues a period of instability at Old Trafford, with United having appointed seven permanent managers since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 following 26 years at the helm.

The final nail in the coffin may have been a 4-4 draw at home to Aston Villa over the weekend, even though United scored twice in added time to salvage a point.

The former midfielder, who made 316 Premier League appearances for the club between 2006 and 2018, took over in January 2026, initially as interim manager.

He received a permanent contract in May after guiding United to third place in the Premier League and Champions League qualification.

His early success included victories over Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool.

But results deteriorated dramatically this season, leaving him with a winning percentage of just 46.9 per cent.

Carrick came under mounting pressure after a 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth last month, with the former England international carrying the air of someone awaiting the inevitable after the defeat when fans chanted his name but booed the players off the pitch.

He had dropped captain Bruno Fernandes to the bench against Bournemouth and did not bring him on even when United were desperate for inspiration in midfield, but the struggling club gave Carrick another chance to revive their season.

To that point, United had gone eight matches without a win in all competitions.

Manchester United share the record of 20 English top-flight league titles with arch-rivals Liverpool.

But United have not won the Premier League since 2012-13, Sir Alex Ferguson's final season in charge, with their title drought now extending into a 14th season.