United's crisis deepens with Michael Carrick’s dismissal

Manchester United have dismissed head coach Michael Carrick, the club announced on Thursday. Carrick was seen waving to supporters after United lost to Bournemouth in Manchester, England, on Sunday, 25 October 2026.

Season collapse leaves United in relegation zone

The 4‑4 draw with Aston Villa that followed left United 18th in the English Premier League and in the relegation zone after only one league win this season. United have accumulated eight points from ten games, their worst start in forty years. Carrick’s tenure began less than six months ago when he signed a two‑year contract to revive the club.

He previously guided United to a third‑place finish and Champions League qualification after taking over in January. That achievement earned him a long‑term deal, but this season the team have recorded just three wins in all competitions. United have endured an eight‑game winless run in the league and have been eliminated from the English League Cup. Captain Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez have publicly criticised tactics and leadership.

Search for a new manager intensifies

United said: “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 club added that it intends to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible. United are reportedly in talks with U.S. men’s coach Mauricio Pochettino, the 54‑year‑old Argentine under contract with the United States through the 2030 World Cup.

Pochettino previously managed Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea and led the United States to the World Cup round of 16 this year. He was also a leading candidate for the United job in 2022 before Erik ten Hag was appointed. Carrick had insisted he would not walk away after the chaotic Villa draw that exposed defensive flaws. His dismissal marks United’s eighth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, thirteen years ago.

Ownership scrutiny and reactions

Since Ferguson’s retirement, the Red Devils have been overtaken by Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea. The club’s ownership, the Glazer family and British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group, will face heightened scrutiny after the sacking. Man United fans staged protests during the Villa match, demanding the owners sell the club. The Manchester United Supporters' Trust called for the owners to explain themselves and show accountability.

Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are also under pressure following another failed appointment. Former managers Louis van Gaal and José Mourinho won cups but were dismissed after failing to mount serious title challenges. Recent appointments such as Erik ten Hag, Ruben Amorim, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick have similarly fallen short of expectations. The supporters’ trust blamed the club’s problems on the Glazers’ debt‑funded takeover and broken promises from INEOS.

Carrick arrived at the training ground on Wednesday, trained on Thursday and left shortly thereafter. (Dave Thompson/AP) photographed Carrick waving to supporters after the Bournemouth defeat. Former England defender Jamie Carragher said Carrick got the job “on the back of nothing” and argued there is no reason to feel sorry for him. Carragher noted Carrick had about two years at Middlesbrough and a stint in punditry before taking the United role. He added that Carrick led United back into the Champions League but was never at the calibre of Premier League managers.