Carrick Not Yet Sacked by Man United, but Dismissal Widely Expected
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has not been officially sacked, but his exit looks inevitable after a summit in Monaco. Mauricio Pochettino, the USA coach, is reported to be ready to accept an offer to replace him at Old Trafford.
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has not yet been officially sacked, but the club is widely expected to dismiss him after a summit in Monaco, according to the latest reports. So, has Carrick been sacked yet? Not by the club's own word, which is still awaited.
Mauricio Pochettino, the USA national team coach, is reported to be ready to accept an offer to replace him.
Owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox met in Monaco, where Ratcliffe is based. Berrada and Wilcox were expected to recommend a sacking to Ratcliffe and the majority owners, the Glazer family. The Glazers were also due to be consulted.
If the decision goes against him, the club want to tell Carrick face to face. He is said to understand that United's form has made talks about his future inevitable.
Ratcliffe is understood to remain supportive of Berrada and Wilcox, despite mounting criticism of the pair from fans.
A season in freefall
United sit 18th in the Premier League, one point above bottom club Crystal Palace. They have won once in 10 league games, their worst start to a top-flight season since 1986-87.
A chaotic 4-4 draw with Aston Villa at Old Trafford deepened the pressure. Only Palace and Ipswich have conceded more than United's 19 league goals.
The board had considered sacking Carrick after a loss to Bournemouth. It chose to give him more time, partly because it felt the November international break offered a better chance to assess the season. The hierarchy still believes a top-five finish is possible.
Carrick, 45, was confirmed as permanent head coach in May after an impressive spell as interim boss. Berrada and Wilcox recommended that appointment.
Pochettino in the frame
Pochettino, 54, has been linked with United for a decade. His name surfaced when Louis van Gaal was sacked in May 2016, when Jose Mourinho went in December 2018, and again when Erik ten Hag was appointed in April 2022 and dismissed in October 2024.
He signed an extension as USA coach in August. The deal is thought to contain clauses allowing him to leave for specific high-profile jobs, and a $10 million release clause has also been reported.
Other candidates have been mentioned. United were reported in October to have sounded out former Newcastle boss Eddie Howe and ex-Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann. Former Chelsea coach Antonio Conte is known to be keen.
The USA have a two-legged Concacaf Nations League play-off against Haiti coming up.
During the World Cup this summer, Pochettino told his assistant Jesus Perez: "One day, your dream comes true. You go to Manchester United." Perez replied that United should have got him. Pochettino smiled and said: "Future. Future."
