Man Utd sack Michael Carrick as head coach as official statement released

Manchester United have announced the departure of Michael Carrick as head coach, with the club sat in the Premier League relegation zone after Sunday's 4-4 draw against Aston Villa.

Carrick, who was appointed United's permanent head coach in May following a successful interim spell, has come under mounting pressure in recent weeks after a disappointing start to the season.

The Reds are currently 10 games without a win in all competitions and sit 18th in the Premier League, having picked up just eight points from their 10 matches so far this season.

It was reported that United had given Carrick the three games prior to the international break to turn the club's form around - and, after Sunday's dramatic draw against Villa, they have now made their final decision.

An official statement by United reads: "Manchester United can confirm that Michael Carrick has departed his role as men's first-team head coach.

"Michael rejoined the club in January and guided the team to a third-placed Premier League finish by winning 12 out of the remaining 17 games of the 2025/26 season, accumulating the highest points tally in the league during that period.

"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.

"Michael is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend. Just as he did as a player, he has conducted himself with the highest standards of dedication and professionalism throughout his time back with the club. His leadership and achievements last season will always be fondly remembered.

"The club intends to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible."

United chiefs were already considering alternatives for the head coach role as far back as the club's defeat to Bournemouth, according to Sky Sports, before Carrick was afforded more time. So the question remains: who will become the next Manchester United head coach?

Who will become Man Utd's next permanent head coach?

A host of high-profile names had been linked with the United job in recent weeks amid mounting pressure on Carrick, including Eddie Howe, Antonio Conte and Julian Nagelsmann.

Howe, who resigned as Newcastle manager in July, was the odds-on favourite to take the job, with director of football Jason Wilcox said to be keen on hiring a manager with Premier League experience.

But United are instead closing in on the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino, who is currently charge of the United States men's national team, as their new head coach.

Mauricio Pochettino is currently in charge of the USMNT (Image: Getty)

BBC reported on Wednesday that Pochettino was 'ready' to accept an offer from United to take charge at Old Trafford, with talks said to have begun with his representatives on Tuesday. United will need to pay a compensation fee of around $10 million (£7.5m) to US Soccer to break Pochettino's contract, with the Argentine having signed a four-extension to his previous deal in August following the World Cup.

United's first fixture after the international break sees them travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool on November 22. They then have another away fixture, this time against Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League, on November 25 before they host Brentford in Premier League action three days later.