Manchester United have sacked Michael Carrick with Mauricio Pochettino set to be appointed their new head coach.

Carrick led training at Carrington this week despite it becoming clear a change was imminent as early as Monday evening.

He arrived at United’s training base at Carrington just before 8am on Thursday morning, leaving less than two-and-a-half hours later having been relieved of his duties.

Behind the scenes, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox have sought approval from minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to part ways with Carrick, with a deal for Pochettino in place.

United hope confirm the Argentine as their new boss ‘as quickly as possible’ with the club back in action against Liverpool on Sunday 22 November following the international break.

‘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,’ United said in a statement.

‘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’.

Carrick has been on the brink at various stages this season with United sat in the relegation zone in 18^th place after 10 games, winning just once against newly promoted Ipswich Town.

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United opted against making a change during the international break in September and October when Julian Nagelsmann and Eddie Howe were the leading contenders for the job.

Carrick gave himself a lifeline as United came from behind to beat Roma in the Champions League at the start of the month. United also fought back twice from two goals down in the same game against Aston Villa on Sunday to rescue a 4-4 draw but the decision was made the following day to part ways with the former midfielder.

His staff are also expected to leave, including former defender Jonny Evans who was pictured leaving Carrington with his belongings on Wednesday.

Carrick’s departure marks the third season in a row United have sacked a manager midway through the campaign.

How Carrick’s United dream turned into a nightmare

Carrick, who had a brief spell as interim boss in 2021, took the reins again in January following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal, securing hugely impressive wins over Manchester City and Arsenal in his opening two games.

They won 12 of their 17 games during the second-half of the 2025-26 season, securing third place and Champions League qualification with a game to spare. United picked up more points than champions Arsenal managed in the period from Carrick’s game in charge until the end of the campaign.

United clearly benefited from the lighter schedule in that run with just the Premier League to focus on. With European football back on the menu this season, reinforcements were needed.

United signed three new midfielders in the summer in Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba but missed out on their top targets Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes who joined Manchester City and Tottenham respectively.

The club also failed to sign another left-back and a striker – positions they were in desperate need of cover for. United are paying the price now with Luke Shaw and Benjamin Sesko injured.

Before the comeback victory over Roma, United’s only wins this season came at home to Ipswich and against Azerbaijan outfit Sabah. Following a particularly harrowing defeat to Como in the Champions League, club captain Bruno Fernandes publicly challenged the manager’s tactics with the skipper dropped for the subsequent game against Chelsea.

Following the 3-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth, Carrick was applauded off the pitch by supporters who instead turned their ire towards the players in a clear picture of where the frustration lies.