Michael Carrick Sacked by Manchester United After Club’s Worst-Ever League Start

Manchester United have dismissed Michael Carrick after a disastrous opening to the Premier League season, bringing his spell as manager to an abrupt end. The club announced the decision on Thursday, saying it followed a disappointing start and a conclusion that a change was needed to meet its ambitions. Carrick, a former United captain, had guided the team to third place last season. This campaign has been sharply different: the article reports that United collected only eight points from their first 10 league matches and sat in the relegation zone. Carrick had also won just three of 15 games across all competitions, according to the report. The club praised Carrick’s conduct and professionalism, describing him as a Manchester United legend and saying he had shown the same commitment as he did during his playing days. United added that it would seek a permanent replacement as quickly as possible. Carrick had initially impressed after stepping in as interim manager following Ruben Amorim’s departure in January. His team secured Champions League qualification, and the club then gave him a two-year permanent contract. But the report says the side struggled after an underwhelming summer recruitment period, while tensions grew around performances and discipline. The article notes that captain Bruno Fernandes was dropped after criticising Carrick’s tactics following a 4-1 defeat to Como. Defender Lisandro Martinez also voiced concerns about the club’s failure to bring in top-level signings. Carrick’s final match was a chaotic 4-4 draw with Aston Villa, after which he said he would not walk away. The report says United’s leadership settled the decision during a meeting in Monaco, attended by co-owner Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada and football director Jason Wilcox. Mauricio Pochettino, currently the United States national team coach, is described as the leading candidate to replace Carrick, with Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann also previously considered.