In a statement, the club revealed: "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."
They added, "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 with the club.
The club intends to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible."
Carrick's tenure at Old Trafford
The former United midfielder took over from Ruben Amorim in January 2026 on an interim basis, guiding the club to 3rd in the Premier League last season before being handed the keys to Old Trafford permanently.
With form this season at a record-setting low for the Red Devils, United have won one league game this season and are currently sat in the Premier League relegation zone, in 18th. This position is considered untenable, and the Manchester United hierarchy have reluctantly now decided to pull the trigger.
Turmoil under Ratcliffe and INEOS
This marks the third managerial change since British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe took control of United’s footballing operations in 2024, owning a minority stake in the club, after publicly backing coaches Erik Ten Hag and Ruben Amorim before jumping to dismiss them after poor performances.
Michael Carrick will feel hard done by, summer recruitment focused solely on the club’s very obvious midfield hole while failing to address the lack of depth at left-back and up front, leaving United devoid of much depth in key areas.
Ratcliffe promised stability and “best-in-class” operations, and a step away from the toxic atmosphere surrounding the club with the Glazer family in power. This has yet to come, with drastic cost-cutting measures being taken in attempts to secure the club financially, resulting in hundreds losing their jobs during the two years of INEOS ownership.
Supporters in recent weeks have been vocal in their opposition to the plans for a new 100,000-seat stadium, with costs potentially reaching £2 billion; it appears the Old Trafford faithful would much rather see the on-pitch performances improve and ticket prices drop than such lavish off-pitch investment.
CEO Omar Berrada and Director of Football Jason Wilcox have also faced fury from United fans, and with Lisandro Martínez questioning the hierarchy after United’s defeat to Como, it would seem there are more issues than just who manages the team at Manchester United.
Who will be the next Manchester United boss?
A revolving door of managers post Sir Alex Ferguson leaves United once more looking for someone to restore the club to its former glory.
Mauricio Pochettino is looking the most likely to take the reins at Old Trafford, according to reports. The former PSG boss last managed in the Premier League in 2024, taking charge at Chelsea for just one season before parting ways with the London side, with clashes in direction and transfer strategy said to be the reason.
The Argentine is currently head coach of the US Men’s National Team, and guided the home nation to a round-of-16 finish at the 2026 World Cup.
Pochettino has interviewed for the United job previously, with the club opting to appoint Dutchman Erik Ten Hag over him in 2022. And while a multitude of managers have taken over United since, Pochettino has seemingly always been in the running for the top job at Old Trafford.
Previous roles at Southampton and Spurs especially established Pochettino’s style of football as high-octane and front-footing. His fervent manner on the touchline will certainly endear itself to United fans, as it did with Ruben Amorim; his disciplined and fiery nature will hopefully inject some life into a depleted United side.
At Tottenham Hotspur, he guided the team to a UEFA Champions League Final in 2019, ultimately losing to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool, but with a team with fairly minimal investment in comparison to other ‘big six’ Premier League teams, Pochettino has proven he can work with tight budget constraints - which is to be expected given United’s recent financial issues.
Mauricio Pochettino’s first game in charge of the Red Devils looks like it will be a trip to Anfield, facing Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool, and with United without a Premier League win in 8 games, it certainly will need a sizeable turnaround to get a result in Merseyside.
