Man United have sacked Carrick, bringing an end to his time as head coach following a disappointing start to the Premier League season. The club are now moving towards appointing Mauricio Pochettino as his replacement, with the former Tottenham and Chelsea manager reportedly ready to take charge at Old Trafford.
Manchester United’s decision follows weeks of uncertainty surrounding Carrick’s position, with the club struggling to find consistency and sitting inside the relegation zone. Despite being given additional time to turn things around, the team’s results have failed to convince the hierarchy that he is the right man to lead the club forward.
Pochettino has emerged as the leading candidate, and reports indicate that discussions between both parties have progressed significantly. However, the club must still resolve his contractual situation with the United States Soccer Federation before completing the move.
Man United Have Sacked Carrick After Disappointing Results
Carrick’s departure follows a difficult opening to the campaign that has left United 18th in the Premier League. The club have won just one of their first 10 league matches and have not recorded a victory since August.
Their position represents their lowest standing at this stage of a top-flight season since the 1986-87 campaign, when they were 20th. The poor run of results placed increasing pressure on the manager, particularly after the club’s 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on 25 October.
United’s hierarchy had initially decided to give Carrick more time to improve the team’s performances. However, subsequent results did little to strengthen his position.
The Red Devils suffered a 2-0 defeat against Chelsea before recording a 3-2 Champions League victory over Roma. They then played out an entertaining 4-4 draw against Aston Villa, recovering from two goals behind twice and scoring twice in stoppage time to rescue a point.
Although the comeback demonstrated the players’ determination, it was not enough to change the direction of discussions within the club. Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox were reportedly expected to recommend Carrick’s departure following their assessment of the team’s performances.
Pochettino Emerges as Man United’s New Manager
With Carrick’s departure expected, attention has shifted towards Mauricio Pochettino, who is being lined up as Man United’s new manager.
The Argentine is reportedly ready to accept the opportunity after Manchester United opened discussions with him about taking charge. Pochettino is currently managing the United States men’s national team, but the prospect of returning to the Premier League is understood to appeal to him.
This is not the first time United have considered appointing the 54-year-old. The club previously spoke to him following Jose Mourinho’s departure in 2018, before appointing Erik ten Hag in 2022, and again after the Dutchman’s dismissal in 2024.
Pochettino brings considerable Premier League experience. He began his English managerial career at Southampton in January 2013 before joining Tottenham in 2014. During his five-year spell in north London, he guided Spurs to the Champions League final.
He subsequently managed Paris Saint-Germain between January 2021 and July 2022 before spending the 2023-24 season at Chelsea. In September 2024, he moved into international football, taking charge of the United States and leading the co-hosts to the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
United Face £7.5m Release Fee for Pochettino
Despite Pochettino’s reported willingness to accept the position, Manchester United must first negotiate his departure from US Soccer.
The Argentine signed a new contract with the federation in August, meaning United would reportedly have to pay $10m (£7.5m) to secure his release. US Soccer officials are already anticipating an official approach from the English club and have reportedly prepared a succession plan in case he leaves.
The timing could also affect Pochettino’s transition. The United States have a two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against Haiti over the next week, with the possibility that the Argentine may not take charge of those fixtures if the Manchester United move progresses.
US Soccer also cancelled planned media activities with players on Thursday, officially citing a clash with Veterans Day. However, some reports suggested the decision was intended to prevent questions about Pochettino’s future.
According to BBC Sport’s chief football news reporter Simon Stone, a source indicated that the terms for Pochettino’s move to United were more or less agreed. The remaining details include the timing of his departure from the United States and the formal arrangements between the clubs and federation.
Pochettino Faces Immediate Challenge at Old Trafford
If appointed, Pochettino will have little time to settle into his new position before facing one of English football’s biggest fixtures. Manchester United are scheduled to travel to Anfield to face Liverpool on 22 November, following the international break.
The Argentine would inherit a side struggling for confidence and consistency, with the immediate responsibility of moving the club away from the relegation zone. Beyond results, he would also need to establish a clear playing identity and restore stability within the squad.
For Carrick, the expected departure represents a disappointing end to his time in charge. He had earned the permanent position after an impressive interim spell that secured Champions League qualification, but the current campaign has taken a very different direction.
Man United have sacked Carrick signaling the beginning of another managerial transition at Old Trafford. With Pochettino reportedly ready to take over, United now face the task of completing the appointment and giving their next manager the opportunity to turn around a season that has fallen far below expectations.
