Manchester United ends Carrick's role after a string of disappointments

Michael Carrick has been dismissed as head coach of Manchester United, as reported on Google.

The termination was confirmed by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

The 45‑year‑old manager had been under pressure for weeks at The Red Devils, who have now pulled the plug.

After his earlier interim spell, Carrick was in charge for only sixteen matches at Old Trafford.

Manchester United have so far played ten competitive matches, collected only eight points and sit at number eighteen in the relegation zone of the Premier League.

In the Champions League they won once.

After the 4‑4 draw against Aston Villa, the club hierarchy, according to Romano, decided that enough was enough.

Carrick has won only three of fifteen matches this season with Manchester United.

The search for a successor has already begun, with the name Mauricio Pochettino prominently emerging.

The Red Devils are said to have already contacted the American football association about the arrival of the Argentine.

Carrick was appointed interim manager last season after the dismissal of Rúben Amorim, who in turn succeeded Erik ten Hag.

Manchester United even climbed back into the Champions League under the former midfielder thanks to an excellent run.

In the summer €173 million was spent on Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.

So far they have not made a clear impact.

The fans direct most of the anger at the club hierarchy and the American major shareholders, not at Carrick.

Responses and internal debate

Former club legend Peter Schmeichel accused Manchester United of a ‘very disrespectful’ treatment of Carrick while Mauricio Pochettino gets ever closer to the role.

Schmeichel spoke on 11 November 2026 about the situation.

He said that Carrick is in an uncertain position and that the club hierarchy, including chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox, flew to Monaco to confirm the decision with co‑owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Meanwhile Carrick continues to train at Carrington, while his departure is worldwide news.

Schmeichel argued that the poor results cannot be fully attributed to Carrick, given the many changes since the departure of Alex Ferguson and David Gill.

He argued that the wrong people in management have worsened the situation.

Manchester United are in the relegation zone during the international break, and Carrick's side has been winless since the end of August in the Premier League.

Recent late‑minute comeback victories against Roma in the Champions League and against Aston Villa in the domestic competition gave a short‑lived morale boost.

Schmeichel emphasized the shortcomings in the transfer strategy, with United not signing a defender but buying three midfielders.

There was talk of a possible arrival of Lewis Hall, but that transfer did not materialise.

The team has, by estimate, conceded thirty goals in ten matches, a problem that has not been addressed.

According to Schmeichel, Carrick was probably not involved in the discussions about the purchases.

He expressed sympathy and called for stability, with a focus on attracting players and a realistic approach to the season.

Former analyst Tim Sherwood said he has no sympathy for Carrick, because he understands the harsh reality of a Premier League coach.

Sherwood recalled that Carrick was interim manager in the second half of the previous season after the dismissal of Rúben Amorim and was appointed permanently in the summer.

He stated that the short tenure of a Premier League coach is evident, but that the treatment of Carrick was disrespectful.

Sherwood called for Carrick to be immediately relieved of his duties and not to be allowed to train any more, and suggested a financial compensation.