Manchester United are moving towards a major managerial change, with Michael Carrick expected to leave his position as head coach after the club’s senior leadership concluded that a change is necessary following a disastrous opening to the 2026–27 campaign. Reports from the United Kingdom on Thursday, November 12, say Carrick is due to be informed of the decision in a face-to-face meeting at the club’s Carrington training ground.
Important update: At the time of publication, multiple media outlets were reporting that United had decided to dismiss Carrick, but an official Manchester United statement confirming that his employment had been terminated had not yet been published. HeadlinesXtra is therefore treating the development as an imminent managerial exit, rather than presenting the formal dismissal as already confirmed by the club.
A Decision After A Season That Has Slipped Away
The pressure on Carrick intensified after Manchester United’s chaotic 4–4 draw with Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday. United twice found themselves chasing the game and needed late goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu to rescue a point. The result left the club in 18th place with only eight points from their opening 10 Premier League matches, according to reporting by The Guardian.
United’s league form has been the central issue. The club have managed only one Premier League victory in their first 10 matches, while a run of eight consecutive league games without a win has pushed them into the relegation zone. The defensive errors against Villa — including costly individual mistakes and an inability to protect leads — reinforced concerns that the team was not making sufficient progress under Carrick.
The 4–4 draw followed a difficult sequence of results and growing scrutiny of the manager’s tactical decisions, team selection and relationship with key players. Carrick had publicly insisted after the Villa match that he expected to continue working, but the club’s leadership was already reviewing his position.
Ratcliffe And United Executives Hold Crucial Talks
Manchester United’s minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe met chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox in Monaco to discuss the club’s sporting direction and Carrick’s future. BBC Sport reported that the meeting was expected to determine the next step, with Berrada and Wilcox likely to recommend a managerial change.
The subsequent reports indicate that the decision to move on from Carrick has been made and that he is expected to be informed in person. The timing has attracted attention because Carrick continued to attend training at Carrington while the discussions and negotiations over a successor were taking place.
That sequence has raised questions about the club’s communication and handling of a manager who remains a significant figure in United’s recent history. Carrick made 464 appearances for the club as a player and won five Premier League titles and the Champions League before moving into coaching.
Mauricio Pochettino Emerges As Leading Replacement Candidate
Attention has quickly turned to Mauricio Pochettino, who is currently managing the United States men’s national team. Reuters reported on Wednesday that Pochettino was among the leading names being considered if United decided to dismiss Carrick. Thursday’s reporting from The Times and the Evening Standard has gone further, indicating that United have made contact with US Soccer and are working towards an agreement.
Pochettino’s familiarity with English football is an important part of his appeal. He previously managed Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, taking Tottenham to the 2019 Champions League final. His teams have often been associated with energetic pressing, aggressive transitions and an emphasis on improving young players.
However, the appointment would involve timing and contractual complications. Pochettino is preparing the United States for international fixtures, and any move would need to be coordinated with the national federation. Reports suggest that the parties are discussing a route out of his existing agreement, but the club has not yet formally announced a successor.
Other managers have been linked with the vacancy in recent weeks, including Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte. The latest reports, however, place Pochettino at the centre of United’s succession planning.
What Went Wrong For Carrick?
Carrick’s current difficulties are striking because his initial spell in charge had created considerable optimism. After taking over earlier in 2026, he helped United improve their league position and secure Champions League qualification. The club subsequently rewarded him with a longer-term contract, but the new season has produced a sharp reversal.
United’s problems have extended beyond one tactical weakness. Defensive organisation has been inconsistent, individual mistakes have repeatedly turned manageable situations into emergencies, and the team has struggled to maintain control when opponents apply pressure. The handling of captain Bruno Fernandes, including his omission from the starting line-up for the Bournemouth defeat after public criticism of the team’s tactics, also added to the scrutiny surrounding Carrick’s leadership.
It would be simplistic to attribute every problem to the head coach. Recruitment, squad balance, injuries, player performances and the club’s broader football structure have all contributed to the difficult situation. Nevertheless, managers are ultimately judged on results, and one win from 10 league matches left United’s hierarchy facing a decision that had become increasingly difficult to postpone.
The Immediate Challenge For Manchester United
If Carrick’s departure is formally confirmed, the next appointment will inherit an urgent task. United are not simply looking to improve their football; they must collect points quickly and move away from the relegation places. Their next league assignment is a demanding trip to Liverpool on November 22, leaving a narrow window for a new manager to assess the squad and prepare his first match.
A change in the dugout may provide a short-term emotional lift, but it cannot automatically resolve the defensive and structural problems that have undermined the team. The new coach will need to restore confidence, establish clearer roles, improve defensive discipline and get more consistent performances from senior players.
HeadlinesXtra Analysis: A Change Of Manager Is Only The First Step
United’s reported decision to part ways with Carrick reflects the urgency created by the club’s league position and sustained run of poor results. Yet the bigger issue remains whether the organisation can provide a coherent football plan around the next manager. Repeatedly changing coaches without addressing recruitment, squad construction and decision-making risks producing another short-lived reset.
For Carrick, the reported exit would be a painful end to a permanent appointment that began with high expectations and the goodwill of supporters who remembered his contribution as a player. For United, it would mark another major intervention in a period of instability. The immediate priority is to confirm the decision transparently, appoint a successor with a clear mandate and begin collecting the points needed to stabilise the season.
Bottom line: Manchester United are widely reported to have decided to dismiss Michael Carrick, with a face-to-face meeting expected at Carrington. Until the club issues its formal announcement, the dismissal should be described as imminent rather than officially completed. The focus is now on Pochettino and whether he can take charge in time to prepare United for the crucial fixture against Liverpool.
Sources And Further Reading
- Reuters: Who could be the next Manchester United manager?
- BBC Sport: Live coverage of Michael Carrick’s Manchester United future
- The Standard: Latest developments in the Carrick decision and Pochettino talks
- The Guardian: Carrick responds to sack speculation after Aston Villa draw
- Sky Sports: Manchester United’s managerial options
- Manchester United: Carrick’s appointment as head coach in May 2026