Manchester United dismiss Michael Carrick as Mauricio Pochettino talks continue

Manchester United have parted company with manager Michael Carrick after a poor start to the season and say they intend to appoint a permanent successor “as soon as possible”, amid reports of an agreement in principle with Mauricio Pochettino.

The club said a change in technical leadership had become necessary because results had not matched its ambitions.

Carrick returned to Manchester United in January and guided them to third place in the Premier League at the end of the 2025-2026 season. The former midfielder oversaw 12 wins in the team’s final 17 league matches, during which Manchester United collected more points than any other side in the division.

However, the club have struggled since the beginning of the current campaign. They are 18th in the Premier League, below the relegation line, and 17th among the 36 teams competing in the Champions League. There have been few clear signs of an improvement in results in recent weeks.

Those performances led the club to end Carrick’s second spell in charge, despite the progress he achieved during the second half of last season.

In a statement, Manchester United paid tribute to Carrick’s contribution and underlined his status as a club legend, both as a former player and as a coach.

“Michael is a Manchester United legend and always will be,” the club said. “As he did when he was a player, he showed the highest levels of dedication and professionalism throughout his return to the club.”

The statement added: “His leadership and achievements during last season will always be appreciated and cherished.”

Manchester United said work was under way to appoint a permanent replacement, but did not name the manager expected to take over.

The decision followed a meeting in Monaco on Wednesday between chief executive Omar Berrada, sporting director Jason Wilcox and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to review the team’s troubled opening to the season.

Pochettino negotiations

Pochettino, the manager of the United States national team, has been linked with the vacancy at Old Trafford. Reports say Manchester United have reached a preliminary agreement with the Argentine, although some details remain to be settled.

Pochettino’s contract with the United States Soccer Federation runs until the middle of 2030 and includes a release clause worth about £7m, equivalent to almost €9m. Manchester United must negotiate that payment with the US federation.

The club are also discussing the make-up of Pochettino’s coaching staff, with talks with the federation expected to accelerate over the next 24 hours.

Manchester United want the 54-year-old to arrive as quickly as possible but recognise that he remains committed to the United States team, who are preparing to play Haiti twice during the current international break.

Pochettino could take charge before Manchester United’s meeting with Liverpool at Anfield on 22 November, with most of the club’s players expected to return by next Thursday.