Michael Carrick has been sacked as Manchester United head coach, the club have confirmed.
The announcement was widely expected after United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe met CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox in Monaco to discuss Carrick’s position on Wednesday.
United States boss Mauricio Pochettino is expected to take over at Old Trafford.
Carrick arrived at United’s Carrington training ground at around 8am this morning and left two-and-a-half hours later. Reports suggest he was given the news of his dismissal by Berrada.
United ditch Carrick with club in relegation zone
Carrick took over on an interim basis in January, succeeding Ruben Amorim, and inspired a dramatic uptick in performances that resulted in a third-placed finish and qualification for the Champions League.
He was rewarded with a two-year deal but this season has not gone to plan. Many fans put it down to underwhelming recruitment in the summer with Wilcox bolstering the midfield with the likes of Youri Tielemans, Carlos Baleba and Andrey Santos but leaving the squad short in other areas, most notably left back and attack.
United sit in 17th place in the Premier League table having won just one of their opening 10 games. It is their worst start since the 1986/87 season.
The club have fared a little better in the Champions League with two wins, against Sabah and Roma, but also defeats to Atletico Madrid and Como.
Carrick has also had to deal with two of his senior players making unwanted public statements. The first saw Argentina defend Lisandro Martinez criticise the club hierarchy following the defeat at Atletico while captain Bruno Fernandes questioned Carrick’s tactics after the 4-1 thrashing in Como.
Pochettino the next man to try to revive ailing United
Pochettino signed a new, four-year deal with the United States Soccer Federation in August but has made it clear to United officials he wanted to move back to the Premier League, where he has managed previously with Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea.
He led the USA to the last 16 at the World Cup over the summer with an exciting, young dynamic team that was able to produce the aggressive, high press style that Pochettino likes to employ.
The former Argentina defender, who has also managed Espanyol and Paris Saint-Germain, may find that more difficult at Old Trafford with a team lacks dynamism.
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