Michael Carrick’s Manchester United future hangs in the balance as decision looms

Michael Carrick arrived for work at Manchester United’s Carrington training ground on Wednesday and gave photographers a thumbs-up, despite expectations that the club will dismiss him later in the day.

United are expected to replace the 45-year-old English manager with Mauricio Pochettino, currently head coach of the United States national team, after a serious decline in results left the club in the Premier League relegation zone.

Carrick’s brief gesture was reported by the English newspaper Daily Mail as uncertainty continues to surround his position at Old Trafford. He had also been seen leaving the training ground on Tuesday with his 16-year-old son, Jace, who is a youth player at the club.

Carrick oversaw a small group of players in training during the international break, but his future is expected to be decided at a meeting involving senior figures from the club’s ownership and management.

Chief executive Omar Berrada and football director Jason Wilcox travelled to the south of France on Tuesday for a meeting of INEOS officials in Monaco. They are due to present their recommendation to Sir Jim Ratcliffe on Wednesday, with all indications pointing to Carrick losing his job because of the team’s alarming run of form.

A final decision has not yet been reached, according to club sources cited by the newspaper. The proposed dismissal must also be approved by Manchester United co-chairmen Joel and Avram Glazer.

The club’s hierarchy is understood to want to inform Carrick of its decision in person. As a result, Manchester United may not make an official announcement until Thursday.

If Carrick is dismissed, the total compensation paid to coaching and administrative staff during the past three years under the ownership of Ratcliffe and INEOS would rise to almost £30m.

Manchester United would also face an additional cost of £7m to buy out Pochettino’s contract with the United States national team.

The developments come as influential figures from Manchester United gather in Monaco to discuss the club’s direction. Berrada and Wilcox’s recommendation to Ratcliffe is expected to determine whether Carrick remains in charge or becomes the latest managerial change during the current ownership period.

Carrick’s arrival at Carrington on Wednesday represented his first public appearance since his departure from the training ground the previous day, when he left alongside Jace after working with the reduced squad. Despite the uncertainty, he continued to report for duty as normal.

The situation was listed under Manchester United, Michael Carrick, Mauricio Pochettino, England, Argentina, Liverpool and the Premier League on 22 November 2026.