Manchester United are set to sack head coach Michael Carrick, with the club sitting 18th in the Premier League table heading into the international break.
The Englishman has become the first Premier League manager to be relieved of his duties this season, though Pierre Sage is also expected to depart during this break, with the Crystal Palace manager sitting one point behind United, propping up the foot of the table.
After dragging United to a 3rd place finish last season, taking over on an interim basis in January, Carrick’s United have fallen out of form, managing just one win from 15 games this season.
This weekend, United drew 4-4 with Aston Villa, coming back from a two-goal deficit on two occasions, with their last two goals being scored in the 92nd and 96th minute.
That turnaround is seemingly not good enough for the Ineos lead management team, though they will still require approval from co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the club’s majority owners, the Glazer family.
The former midfielder's position has been precarious for a number of weeks, with many fans believing he had managed his last match in a 3-0 loss to Bournemouth.
United States manager Mauricio Pochettino is said to be one of the favourites in the running to take over from Carrick’s position, though former German national team manager Julian Nagelsmann and former Newcastle boss Eddie Howe are believed to be highly admired by the club.
How has it got to this stage?
When United secured a 3-0 victory over Brighton on the last day of the 2025/26 season, there was not a single frown etched on any fan who had made the trip to the south coast.
Bruno Fernandes had secured his 21st league assist—planting him firmly in the history books as the player with most assists in a Premier League season—whilst United had firmly cemented themselves in third place, winning 39 points from 17 games under Carrick, more than any since his appointment.
Less than six months later, the mood has turned sour at the club, with both Lisandro Martinez and Bruno Fernandes taking swipes at Carrick and the overall recruitment at the club, and the overall form has gone down, with United winning just one fixture since 10 September.
Carrick’s failings naturally shine a light on those above him. Since the INEOS-led hierarchy took their position at the club, United have cycled through three permanent head coaches, with Erik ten Hag, Ruben Amorim, and now Carrick all dismissed.
How many chances do INEOS need until they recruit the correct head coach to follow their style. In February of 2024, Sir Jim Ratcliffe said that Manchester United would not oscillate between conflicting tactical styles like those of Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola.
However, since the hierarchy took over, United have fluctuated through three differing tactical formats.
There are major questions that the likes of Ratcliffe and Jason Wilcox need to answer, especially over the likes of recruitment. Injuries cannot be the only reason why Carrick’s term has failed, but he has not been helped by the lack of a natural left-back or striker, with the likes of Ayden Heaven, Diogo Dalot, and Bryan Mbeumo all playing out of position at times this season.
For as long as the Glazers hold onto the power at United, the longer it seems that the club will fail to push back towards its glory days of yesteryear.
A £1.15 billion debt looms over the club, and it is a struggle to see how any improvements will be made over the following years.
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