Michael Carrick has reportedly been sacked by Manchester United after a terrible run of results has left the Red Devils in the relegation zone as Mauricio Pochettino prepares to take charge

Michael Carrick has reportedly been sacked as Manchester United manager. The decision comes after a catastrophic start to the season, with the fallen giants falling into the Premier League relegation zone.

Carrick avoided the sack in October after a crisis meeting was held between the owners the Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, alongside Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox following their 3-0 loss to Bournemouth.

However, it proved to be just a temporary stay of execution, with the legendary midfielder now out of the club after a dramatic 4-4 draw at home to Aston Villa. United twice came from two goals down, including two strikes in injury time to rescue a point, but the big picture required the hosts to win and climb out of the drop zone. Fabrizio Romano took to X to report Carrick's dismissal with immediate effect.

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The hunt for his replacement is already done with former Chelsea and Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino set to take the job after reaching an agreement to become the new Old Trafford boss earlier this week.

Pochettino is currently with the USA squad for the international break and United will pay compensation to buy him out of his contract.

The former Chelsea and Spurs boss is reported to cost United around £7million in compensation, while sacking Carrick is expected to cost the club around £5m. If the underfire United hierarchy made this change in the summer, it wouldn't have cost a penny in compensation, with both managers previously out of contract.

Club legend Carrick, 45, returned to the Red Devils for his second spell as interim manager after Ruben Amorim's sacking back in January - and he immediately breathed new life into the team as they played Pep Guardiola's Manchester City off the park.

United looked to be heading back to their very best as Carrick propelled them into the Champions League during a successful first few months at the helm, finishing third in the table. Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS then decided to appoint the former midfielder - who won it all at Old Trafford as a player - as their new permanent manager on a two-year contract.

However, United lost midfield general Casemiro, when his contract expired in June, and embarked on an ill-fated rebuild. The Red Devils led by director of football Jason Wilcox signed three midfielders in the form of Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba.

It left them with no money to spend on desperately needed defensive and attacking reinforcements despite being outspent by all three promoted clubs - a failing which became very apparent, very quickly. United were humiliated by newly-promoted Hull City on the opening day of the season.

United bounced back with a resounding win against another promoted side, Ipswich, but problems mounted as Everton netted a stunning late equaliser in a costly draw. Carrick's side were then beaten by 10-men Manchester City in controversial circumstances after Erling Haaland's only goal of the game was incorrectly awarded, before throwing away a lead against Brighton at home and crashing out of the Carabao Cup at the first hurdle.

There were three more Premier League draws, as they continued to tumble down the table. However, crushing losses in Europe seemed to spark open rebellion and a civil war broke out at the club.

First Argentine defender Martinez took aim at the boardroom after defeat in Madrid, slamming Wilcox and the lack of necessary summer transfer business. He said: "I have to control myself a lot, but sometimes it's a reflection of how our club is at the moment.

"We had a fantastic season last season, and now we expect more from the top, from upstairs, to bring in more players to compete because many teams have brought in many players as well."

And asked if he had expected more investment in the squad in the summer, Martinez said: "Yes, 100%. I expect more from our technical director. I have to be honest. And also, as a player, we have to do more.

"It's also important to build a strong squad to be ready for this kind of night." Martinez later apologised for his comments, but just over one week later, club captain Bruno Fernandes took aim at Carrick as United were battered 4-1 by Como 1907.

"It's a decision from the staff to not press man-to-man and sometimes leave a little space in behind and try to get the ball in the first moment, to wait for them, to give them the ball," Fernandes said.

"But sometimes when you give too much the ball to these teams they get confident, they have so many bodies behind the ball that make you run a lot, make people get frustrated.

"And then obviously when you recover the ball the legs are, and the brain, much more difficult to make it work."

Fernandes was made to rot on the bench for the entire 90 minutes as his teammates were outplayed by Bournemouth and convincingly beaten 3-0. The captain returned for the defeat at Stamford Bridge but was unable to inspire his team-mates as the Reds lost 2-0.

United staged a sensational comeback to beat Roma 3-2 and followed up with another inspired turnaround against Villa. But Carrick was unable to rid the consistent problems and mistakes that his players regularly made.

Pochettino is set to arrive just days before the Liverpool clash at Anfield, and unlike recent United appointments, brings a wealth of Premier League experience.

The Argentine managed Southampton before spending five-and-half years at Spurs, managing 293 games and turning a struggling side into title contenders. However, he was sacked in November 2019 without winning a trophy. After an 18-month spell at PSG, where he won the French league and cup, he joined Chelsea in July 2023.

Pochettino managed the Stamford Bridge side for just one season in a largely frustrating season, being replaced by Enzo Maresca after winning 27 of his 51 games in charge. The 54-year-old has been in charge of the USA team since 2024 and guided them to the round of 16 in their home World Cup this summer.