Manchester United have reportedly dismissed head coach Michael Carrick with immediate effect following a disappointing start to the 2026/2027 football season.
Renowned football transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano broke the news on Thursday, November 12, 2026, announcing that the Premier League club had decided to end Carrick’s spell at Old Trafford.
The decision follows a difficult run of results that has left United in the relegation zone, with just one victory from their opening 10 Premier League matches. Pulse Ghana +2
United’s poor form intensified after a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth and a 2-0 loss to Chelsea. Although Carrick’s side later secured a comeback victory over AS Roma in the Champions League, they failed to maintain their recovery, drawing 4-4 with Aston Villa in their most recent league fixture.
The draw against Villa proved particularly damaging, as United surrendered a two-goal advantage before scoring twice in stoppage time to rescue a point. The result left the club 18th in the Premier League table, with eight points from 10 matches. The Guardian +1
Carrick’s reported dismissal comes just months after he was handed the permanent managerial position in May 2026. He initially returned to Old Trafford in January as interim head coach and impressed during his temporary spell, guiding United to third place in the Premier League and qualification for the Champions League. He subsequently signed a contract running until 2028. Sky News +1
Meanwhile, former Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Carrick. Reports indicate that Manchester United have reached an agreement in principle with the Argentine, who currently manages the United States men’s national team.
Pochettino’s potential appointment is expected to usher in another managerial change at Old Trafford as the club attempts to revive its season and move away from the relegation zone. United are scheduled to face Liverpool at Anfield on November 22 following the international break. Talksport +1
Fabrizio Romano has reported Carrick’s dismissal, but reports available at the time of writing differ on whether Manchester United have issued a formal public confirmation. The story therefore attributes the development to Romano rather than presenting an independent club announcement as established fact.
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