I remember watching Michael Carrick's first game in charge in January, the derby victory over City at Old Trafford, and thinking, "This will end in a November sacking". So, I posted that thought on X! Here we are.

And that wasn't a dig at Carrick, by the way. Rather, a club trapped in a cycle of incompetence were always likely to make the same mistakes. Carrick did well - very well, in fact - but the brave decision by the hierarchy was not to give him a new contract in the summer, but to realise the excellent job he had done within the situation he inherited and find a more suitable manager for a longer-term project.

Carrick pointed United in the right direction from January onwards - it's a different task entirely leading a team in that direction. The decision-makers should have realised his role in the club's recovery and thanked him for that contribution. Instead, they took the easy option. And here they are, paying out in November, as the rest of us had forecast in January...

Manchester United can confirm that Michael Carrick has departed his role as men’s first-team head coach.

Michael rejoined the club in January and guided the team to a third-placed Premier League finish by winning 12 out of the remaining 17 games of the 2025/26 season, accumulating the highest points tally in the league during that period.

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.

Michael is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend. Just as he did as a player, he has conducted himself with the highest standards of dedication and professionalism throughout his time back with the club. His leadership and achievements last season will always be fondly remembered.

The club intends to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible.