Man United part ways with Carrick, target Pochettino as successor

Manchester United have sacked manager Michael Carrick following the club’s disappointing start to the 2026/2027 English Premier League season, with former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino emerging as the leading candidate to replace him.
The Premier League giants announced their decision on Thursday, November 12, bringing an end to Carrick’s second spell at Old Trafford after the club managed just eight points from their opening 10 league matches.
Carrick, 45, guided United to an impressive third-place finish last season but has struggled to maintain that momentum, with the team currently languishing in the relegation zone.
In a statement announcing his departure, the club said the decision followed a disappointing start to the campaign and was necessary to protect its ambitions for the season.
“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,” the statement said.
United, however, paid tribute to Carrick’s professionalism and commitment, describing him as a club legend whose contributions as both a player and manager would remain appreciated.
The club added that it intended to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible.
Pochettino, 54, has reportedly emerged as the overwhelming favourite for the vacant position, with reports suggesting that the Argentine has agreed in principle to take charge of the English club.
The former Southampton, Tottenham, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain manager currently coaches the United States national team, having signed a contract extension that would keep him in charge until the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Reports indicate that Manchester United have submitted an offer to secure his services, although his existing commitment to the US national team could complicate negotiations.
Carrick’s final match in charge was Sunday’s dramatic 4-4 draw against Aston Villa, after which he insisted he had no intention of walking away from the job.
However, the club hierarchy reportedly decided that a managerial change was necessary following a run of just three victories in all competitions.
Pochettino, if appointed, will inherit the difficult task of restoring United’s competitiveness and reviving a club that has struggled to reclaim its former dominance since the departure of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.
Once a dominant force in English football, United have increasingly found themselves overshadowed by rivals Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal.
The club’s next assignment is a crucial Premier League encounter against arch-rivals Liverpool at Anfield on November 22, a fixture that could provide an early indication of the direction of the team under new leadership.