Michael Carrick sacked by Manchester United after poor start to season

Manchester United has ended the tenure of head coach Michael Carrick with immediate effect, ahead of their upcoming clash with Liverpool. Carrick's decision to depart from Old Trafford follows a series of underwhelming results in the 2026/27 season. The former England international had initially been appointed on an interim basis following poor performances in January 2026, but his leadership led to a strong finish to the season, securing a third-place position in the Premier League and a spot in the UEFA Champions League.

Carrick was subsequently offered a permanent contract until 2028. However, the 2026/27 campaign presented significant challenges for the club, with United failing to secure a single win in their first ten Premier League matches and currently sitting in 18th place in the table. The team's struggles were exacerbated by a 4-4 draw against Aston Villa at Old Trafford, where they squandered several opportunities to win.

These disappointing results prompted discussions within the club about Carrick's future, with chief executive Omar Berrada, director of football Jason Wilcox, and minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe all involved in the internal review process. Mauricio Pochettino, the current manager of the United States men's national team, has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Carrick at Manchester United.