The Carrick Man Utd story ended on the morning of Thursday 12 November 2026, in a meeting at the club’s Carrington training ground. United sacked Michael Carrick after the worst start to a Premier League season in recent memory, with the club sitting in the relegation zone on one win from ten league games. Within hours, the club had agreed a deal for his replacement. Mauricio Pochettino, the man who was always “almost” the next United manager, finally has the job.
This is how Carrick was told, what the club saw that made it act, and why Pochettino was the name on the list.
How Michael Carrick Was Told He Was Leaving Man Utd
Carrick did not get a bolt from the blue. He got a week of signals.
According to the BBC, chief executive Omar Berrada called Carrick’s agent on Monday to say that he and director of football Jason Wilcox were flying to Monaco to meet co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and that Carrick’s future would be on the agenda. A day later Wilcox is believed to have had a similar conversation with Carrick himself. The same report says it is unclear whether Carrick and his representatives understood that the recommendation going to Monaco was to remove him.
The formal news came on Thursday. ESPN reports that Carrick was told in person by Berrada and Wilcox at Carrington that morning, a day after their meeting with Ratcliffe in Monaco. Sky Sports adds that Ratcliffe ratified the decision after that recommendation from Berrada and Wilcox, and that Carrick’s coaching staff left with him. Jonny Evans, Jonathan Woodgate, Steve Holland, Travis Binnion and goalkeeping coach Craig Mawson all went. Only assistant goalkeeping coach Connor King, who arrived two months ago, remains.
| Day | What happened |
|---|---|
| Sunday 8 Nov | United draw 4-4 at home to Aston Villa after trailing 4-2 |
| Monday 9 Nov | Berrada tells Carrick’s agent about the Monaco meeting and his future being discussed |
| Tuesday 10 Nov | Wilcox has a similar conversation with Carrick; Carrick leads training |
| Wednesday 11 Nov | Monaco summit with Ratcliffe; Berrada contacts US Soccer about Pochettino’s release clause; verbal agreement reached with Pochettino |
| Thursday 12 Nov | Carrick told at Carrington, sacking confirmed; Pochettino deal agreed |
The timing drew criticism. United were accused of leaving Carrick’s position unclear while he took training on Tuesday and Wednesday, though club sources say the plan for those sessions was set more than a month earlier. The BBC reports that there is some regret inside the club that the process played out so publicly, but a feeling that United were as open with Carrick as they could be.
Why Man Utd Sacked Carrick: The Results Behind the Decision
The numbers are bad, and they are bad against the backdrop of how good last season was.
Carrick took over in January after Ruben Amorim was sacked, won 12 of his first 17 games, finished third and took United back into the Champions League. He signed a two-year deal on 22 May, then won just three of his next 15 matches. That is a 70.1 per cent win rate last season and 20 per cent this season.
| Carrick’s record | Played | Wins | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 (interim, to end of season) | 17 | 12 | 70.1% |
| 2026/27 (as permanent head coach) | 15 | 3 | 20% |
| Overall in charge | 32 | 15 | 46.9% |
The slide started with defeat at newly promoted Hull City on the opening day. After heavy losses to Como and Bournemouth in October, United’s leadership put huge weight on the next three games, against Chelsea, Roma and Aston Villa. A defeat, a win and a draw were not enough, and the team conceded eight goals across them. The BBC says the concern was a lack of progress in team structure. United sources told ESPN that 18th place after ten games is “not acceptable” and that they believe the squad is far better than its results.
The Aston Villa game summed up the problem. United went 2-0 down inside four minutes and 4-2 down early in the second half before scrambling a draw. A similar comeback had beaten Roma in the Champions League days earlier. Neither could hide the defensive disorder.
There is also a pattern worth noting. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s win rate fell from 73.7 per cent as interim manager to 51.7 per cent once he was given the job permanently. Carrick has now followed the same arc, only faster.
Why Man Utd Chose Mauricio Pochettino
The reporting does not point to one grand reason. It points to timing, availability and history.
First, the door was opened from the other side. ESPN reports that Pochettino’s representatives were the ones who initially told United about the release clause in his contract with the US national team. The BBC adds that Pochettino had been open with US Soccer about the talks and about his wish to return to the Premier League, so the approach did not surprise officials there.
Second, the price was manageable. United are set to pay the release clause, worth around $10 million (£7.4 million), after identifying him as their preferred choice. No drawn-out compensation negotiation, no waiting for the summer.
Third, the history. Pochettino has been considered for the United job on three previous occasions without getting it. Most Nigerian fans will remember the 2022 episode, when Erik ten Hag was picked instead. His Premier League record is established, and Sky Sports reports that Sir Alex Ferguson has long admired him.
| Pochettino deal | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 54 |
| Previous clubs | Tottenham, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain |
| Current job | Head coach, US men’s national team |
| Contract | About two and a half years, to summer 2029 |
| Release clause | $10m (about £7m) |
| First game | Liverpool away, Sunday 22 November, live on Sky Sports |
Sky Sports says he will be United’s eighth permanent appointment since Ferguson retired in 2013. Fabrizio Romano has called it a done deal, and United’s official announcement was expected to follow. As of Friday 13 November the formal confirmation was still awaited.
Pochettino is not leaving the US job immediately. United are respecting USA’s two games against Haiti, the second on 18 November, and if he takes charge of both he would be at Carrington on 19 November, four days before the Liverpool game.
Man Utd’s Managers in the Ineos Era
| Manager | Appointed | Left | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erik ten Hag | 2022 | Oct 2024 | Sacked after 4 wins in 14 games to start 2024/25 |
| Ruben Amorim | Nov 2024 | 5 Jan 2026 | 24 wins in 63 games; cost £9.2m to hire |
| Michael Carrick | 13 Jan 2026 | 12 Nov 2026 | 12 wins in his first 17, then 3 in 15 |
| Mauricio Pochettino | Nov 2026 | n/a | Contract to 2029 |
United have now sacked a manager midway through each of the last three seasons. That is why the reaction has been less about Carrick and more about the people who hired him.
Reaction: “Rinse and Repeat”
Gary Neville said on NBC that changing managers has not worked for twelve years, and that a weak performance department, poor recruitment and a lack of strong leadership through the club will sink any coach. The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust went further, saying “It is time for the owners to explain themselves.” Jamie Carragher, meanwhile, backs Pochettino as the right choice.
The BBC’s view is that Carrick leaves with his standing as a United great intact. He is said to have handled the turmoil with great dignity.
What Happens Next for Pochettino and United
The fixture list is unforgiving: Liverpool away on 22 November, Sporting in the Champions League on 25 November, then Brentford, Newcastle and Coventry in the league. United sit second from bottom of the league and 17th in the Champions League table. Pochettino does not have time to settle.
Carrick Man Utd: Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Carrick sacked by Man Utd?
Because of results. One league win in ten games, 18th place and a defensive record that did not improve after a review period.
Who replaces Michael Carrick?
Mauricio Pochettino has agreed a deal to become head coach, subject to the formal announcement.
When does Pochettino take charge?
After the USA’s second game against Haiti, with his first match at Anfield on 22 November.
Did Carrick know he was being sacked?
He was given strong indications from Monday, but the BBC says it is unclear whether he knew the recommendation was dismissal.
