Manchester United sack Michael Carrick after one win in 10 Premier League games
Synopsis
Manchester United have fired Michael Carrick just months after handing him a permanent contract — the same man who guided them to third place last season. With one win in ten Premier League games and a spot in the relegation zone, United's collapse is one of English football's starkest managerial turnarounds of recent years.
Key Takeaways
Manchester United sacked head coach Michael Carrick on 12 November 2026 .
United won just one of their opening 10 Premier League matches this season and were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Brighton & Hove Albion .
The club slipped into the relegation zone following Nottingham Forest's 3-1 win over Manchester City last Saturday.
A 4-4 draw against Aston Villa on Sunday left United just one point above bottom-placed Crystal Palace .
Carrick had led United to a third-place finish last season, winning 12 of 17 matches after his appointment.
Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly among the candidates for the permanent manager role.
Manchester United have parted ways with head coach Michael Carrick following a dismal start to the 2026-27 Premier League season, the club confirmed in an official statement on Thursday, 12 November 2026. The dismissal ends Carrick's second stint at Old Trafford, coming despite his impressive record in charge last season.
The Club's Decision
In a formal statement, Manchester United said: '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.' The club simultaneously paid tribute to Carrick's character, calling him 'a Manchester United legend' who 'conducted himself with the highest standards of dedication and professionalism.'
'His leadership and achievements last season will always be fondly remembered,' the statement added.
Carrick's Record at United
Carrick first returned to Old Trafford in January 2026 as interim head coach before being handed a permanent two-year contract in May 2026. He guided United to a third-place Premier League finish, winning 12 of his remaining 17 matches and accumulating the highest points tally in the division during that stretch — a record that made his sacking all the more striking.
How Bad Was the Season Start
United's form this season has been alarming. The club managed just one victory in their opening 10 Premier League matches — a return that sits among the worst in their modern history. They also suffered an early Carabao Cup exit, knocked out by Brighton & Hove Albion. A 4-4 draw against Aston Villa on Sunday left them one point above the bottom-placed side.
Relegation Zone Concerns
The situation deteriorated further after Nottingham Forest's 3-1 win over Manchester City last Saturday pushed United into the relegation zone. They currently sit just above 18th-placed Crystal Palace, a position unthinkable for a club of their stature. This is only the second time in the Premier League era that United have found themselves in the drop zone as deep into a season.
Who Could Replace Carrick
Mauricio Pochettino, currently head coach of the United States national team, is reportedly among the leading candidates. Pochettino signed a contract extension with the US in August 2026, though his deal is understood to include clauses permitting him to depart for certain high-profile club roles. United are expected to begin the search for a permanent successor immediately, with pressure mounting to arrest a slide that threatens their top-flight status.
Point of View
He was the man who saved United's season; today, he is the man who couldn't start a new one. The deeper question is structural — United have now changed managers with increasing frequency, and each cycle of hope and sacking leaves the squad more unsettled. Pochettino's reported interest is intriguing, but bringing in a third head coach in under a year risks compounding the very instability that is driving the results. The board's challenge is not just finding the right name, but committing to a rebuild that extends beyond the next 10 fixtures.
NationPress
12 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Manchester United sack Michael Carrick?
Manchester United sacked Michael Carrick on 12 November 2026 after the club won just one of their opening 10 Premier League matches in the 2026-27 season. The club cited the need for a change in leadership to achieve their stated ambitions.
What was Carrick's record at Manchester United?
In his first spell back as interim coach from January 2026, Carrick won 12 of 17 Premier League matches and guided United to a third-place finish. He was then handed a permanent two-year contract in May 2026, making his subsequent sacking all the more dramatic.
Where do Manchester United stand in the Premier League table now?
Following a 4-4 draw against Aston Villa on Sunday, Manchester United are one point above bottom-placed Crystal Palace and sit inside or on the fringes of the relegation zone as of 12 November 2026.
Who is likely to replace Michael Carrick at Manchester United?
Mauricio Pochettino, the United States national team head coach, is reportedly among the leading candidates. His contract with the US includes clauses that could allow him to leave for high-profile club positions, though no appointment has been confirmed.
How does this compare to other poor starts in Manchester United's history?
Winning just one of the first 10 Premier League matches is among United's worst-ever starts to a top-flight season. It is reportedly only the second time in the Premier League era that the club have found themselves in the relegation zone this deep into a campaign.
