Preamble
Michael Carrick has been dismissed by Manchester United. He departs after a 4-4 draw with Aston Villa at Old Trafford last Sunday that left the team in the Premier League’s bottom three. United twice fought back from two goals down for a late point against Villa, after a dramatic recovery to defeat Roma in the Champions League five days earlier, but that wasn’t enough.
United are third-bottom in the Premier League, a point behind 17th-placed Coventry, and 17th in the Champions League league phase table. His departure follows a review led by the director of football, Jason Wilcox, and a recommendation to Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who controls sporting policy.
More as we get it.
Key events
“I think it was Jonathan Liew who made the eminently sensible suggestion of a positional switch (not so rare in football) for Michael Carrick – by having him replace Jason Wilcox as director of football,” emails Geoff.
“That would have made sense.”
And Andrew chips in on email:
“Just waiting for Mr Mediocrity Wilcox to do the honorable thing and admit he is out of his depth and responsible in part for the situation and resign. The golf course and the pundit circuit call … Michael, you will always be welcomed back into the crowd by all United fans.”
Clearly, there is sadness and regret within the club that Carrick has been dismissed. But the run of one win in 10 Premier League games was seen as unacceptable “by any measure” – and there is a belief that a different manager will get more from the squad. Performances and results in the last three games – the 2-0 defeat by Chelsea, a stirring 3-2 win against Roma and the 4-4 draw with Villa – were not enough to convince the club hierarchy that they were on the right path.
“As a United fan who was around for the early 90s and the many successes that followed, seeing Carrick go is a sad end to a horrible situation,” emails Chris. “He was the only likeable thing about a club and set of players who I find it harder to support as I get older.
“I’ve lived and understood all the schadenfreude that goes with United failing over the last 13 years and I get it, but frankly I’m finding it hard to invest the emotional energy in the team any more. I took my eight-year-old lad to Old Trafford for the Brighton game in the FA Cup in January, and I’ve never experienced a more toxic atmosphere at a football ground.
“The fans – and I mean the locals, the ones who go to games, who can remember the days before Ronaldo – we deserve better … better owners, better attitudes, better standards. Nothing will change with the setup of the club today and we are in this macabre holding pattern of failure, hope, anger and disappointment.
“It’s harder and harder to find the hope that should accompany the appointment of a new manager but what other choice do we have?”
The former Burnley, QPR and Southampton goal machine Charlie Austin is in the pundit’s chair on Sky Sports News right now. He says United have to clear the decks – let Mauricio Pochettino rebuild completely. Which is fair, although it’s not like there will be unlimited funds.
“Allow him to work from the bottom up,” Austin says of the incoming Argentinian gaffer.
“If they don’t do that, we’ll be in the same scenario in 18 months’ time.”
“Carrick is of course essentially another bystander to the ongoing reactor core meltdown. He didn’t appoint Michael Carrick. He has done nothing surprising in his role as head coach, simply been the best Michael Carrick he can be, which is a Michael Carrick unqualified for this level of management.”
Barney Ronay, there, writing a few days ago.
What do you think about all this?
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United aim to appoint successor ‘as quickly as possible’
Here is the statement from the club now published on the official website:
“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.”
Jamie Jackson
Manchester United have sacked Michael Carrick as their head coach with the team in the Premier League’s relegation zone and lined up Mauricio Pochettino to take over.
Pochettino has a framework agreement to join a club who have one win from their past 11 matches. The USA head coach, a Premier League manager with Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea, has a release clause of about $10m (£7.5m). United will have to pay more to take his staff.
Preamble
Michael Carrick has been dismissed by Manchester United. He departs after a 4-4 draw with Aston Villa at Old Trafford last Sunday that left the team in the Premier League’s bottom three. United twice fought back from two goals down for a late point against Villa, after a dramatic recovery to defeat Roma in the Champions League five days earlier, but that wasn’t enough.
United are third-bottom in the Premier League, a point behind 17th-placed Coventry, and 17th in the Champions League league phase table. His departure follows a review led by the director of football, Jason Wilcox, and a recommendation to Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who controls sporting policy.
More as we get it.
