Manchester United are preparing for another managerial change, with Michael Carrick expected to leave Old Trafford after a disastrous start to the 2026/27 season. Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as a leading candidate to replace him, while the club's hierarchy is reportedly pushing for a decision during the November international break.
Manchester United appear to be approaching the end of Michael Carrick's tenure as head coach, with multiple reports suggesting that his dismissal could be announced imminently. According to The Athletic, the club intends to relieve the former midfielder of his duties and has already begun examining potential replacements. Although United have maintained that no final decision has been reached, several sources expect a change before the team's next Premier League fixture against Liverpool on November 22. The situation intensified on Tuesday, November 10, when The Guardian reported that director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada were preparing to recommend Carrick's removal during a meeting with Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco. The club has not officially confirmed his departure, but the latest developments indicate that his position is under greater threat than at any previous point this season.
From Champions League Qualification to a Relegation Battle
Carrick's possible departure represents a remarkable turnaround after he guided Manchester United to a top-four Premier League finish last season. What had appeared to be a promising foundation has deteriorated dramatically during the opening months of the new campaign, leaving United in 18th place with just eight points from ten league matches. Their only Premier League victory came against newly promoted Ipswich Town in August, and they have since struggled to turn competitive performances into results. Across all competitions, the team have recorded just three victories in 15 matches, while their Champions League campaign has also been disappointing. United currently sit 17th in the European standings, adding further pressure to a coaching staff already dealing with the possibility of a domestic relegation battle.
The numbers are particularly alarming given the expectations surrounding Manchester United and the resources available to the club. A team that entered the season hoping to consolidate its return to European football now faces questions about whether it can even establish consistent Premier League form. The problems extend beyond individual results: United have repeatedly conceded early goals, failed to control matches for sustained periods and relied on dramatic comebacks to rescue points. While Carrick has occasionally managed to inspire impressive attacking performances, his side have struggled to maintain the defensive organisation and consistency needed to compete at the highest level. The contrast between last season's Champions League qualification and the current league position has become increasingly difficult for the club's leadership to ignore.
The Three Matches That Failed to Save Carrick
The turning point reportedly came after United's 3-0 home defeat against Bournemouth on October 25, which followed a humiliating 4-1 Champions League loss to Como. According to The Guardian's account of the internal review, Wilcox and Berrada seriously considered dismissing Carrick following those results but ultimately decided to give him three additional matches to demonstrate that the situation could be reversed. Those fixtures, against Chelsea, Roma and Aston Villa, effectively became an extended assessment of his ability to restore confidence, improve performances and stabilise the team before the international break. United needed convincing evidence of progress, but the results provided only further reasons for concern.
Carrick's team lost 2-0 at Chelsea despite showing promise during the opening half, before producing a remarkable Champions League comeback against Roma at Old Trafford. United trailed the Italian side 2-0 at half-time but recovered to win 3-2, offering supporters a rare moment of optimism during an otherwise frustrating campaign. However, that victory was followed by an extraordinary 4-4 draw with Aston Villa on November 8, when United again demonstrated both their attacking potential and serious defensive weaknesses. After falling 2-0 behind within the opening four minutes, the hosts eventually found themselves trailing 4-2 deep into the closing stages before Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu scored to secure an unlikely point. The comeback showed that the players had not completely lost their fighting spirit, but it also highlighted the instability that has repeatedly undermined Carrick's side.
For United's decision-makers, the broader pattern appears to matter more than the resilience displayed during individual matches. The team conceded almost immediately against Atlético Madrid and Como in October, while the disastrous opening against Aston Villa provided another example of United beginning matches without sufficient defensive concentration. Their ability to recover from difficult positions has occasionally produced memorable moments, but regularly needing to overturn significant deficits is hardly a sustainable strategy. Carrick was given an opportunity to demonstrate that improvements were taking place, yet a defeat, a victory and a draw in his final three matches under review have apparently failed to convince the hierarchy that he remains the right person to lead the club.
Pochettino Emerges as a Leading Candidate
Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as one of the strongest candidates to replace Carrick, with reports indicating that the Argentine would be open to taking charge at Old Trafford. The 54-year-old is currently managing the United States national team and signed a contract extension in August that runs until the 2030 World Cup. However, the agreement is believed to include provisions allowing him to leave for certain major club opportunities, potentially opening the door to a return to Premier League management. According to The Guardian, United could face a compensation payment of approximately £7 million to secure his release from the United States Soccer Federation. Other reports have suggested a slightly higher figure, with additional costs possible if members of Pochettino's coaching staff were to join him in Manchester.
Pochettino's previous Premier League experience makes him an understandable candidate for a club seeking to rebuild its identity. During his time at Tottenham Hotspur, he established a reputation for developing younger players, implementing an aggressive pressing system and turning a talented squad into a consistent Champions League contender. He later managed Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea before taking charge of the United States national team. His familiarity with English football and experience managing high-profile players could appeal to United's leadership, particularly given the club's need for a coach capable of establishing a clear tactical structure. Nevertheless, appointing Pochettino would not guarantee an immediate recovery, especially when the problems at Old Trafford appear to extend well beyond the identity of the head coach.
The timing also presents complications. Pochettino is preparing the United States for international fixtures against Haiti on November 14 and 18, meaning any potential negotiations could take place while he remains occupied with national-team responsibilities. United would also need to agree on contractual terms and compensation before confirming a permanent appointment. With their next Premier League match scheduled for November 22 against Liverpool at Anfield, the club faces a difficult balance between acting quickly and ensuring that its next managerial decision is properly considered.
Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann Also Under Consideration
Pochettino is not the only candidate being discussed at Old Trafford. Former Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe remains highly regarded by director of football Jason Wilcox, while Julian Nagelsmann has also been mentioned among the potential replacements. BBC Sport reported that United had previously explored the availability of Howe and Nagelsmann, with former Chelsea and Tottenham manager Antonio Conte also understood to be interested in the position. The range of names under consideration suggests that the club has yet to settle publicly on a preferred managerial profile, with candidates offering significantly different approaches to rebuilding the team.
Howe's extensive Premier League experience and track record at Newcastle could make him an attractive option for a club requiring immediate domestic improvement. Nagelsmann, meanwhile, offers a different tactical background and experience managing Bayern Munich and Germany, while Conte is known for demanding highly structured football and rapid improvements in competitiveness. Each appointment would involve different financial, sporting and organisational considerations, especially given United's current league position. The choice may ultimately reveal whether the hierarchy prioritises short-term survival, a longer rebuilding process or a combination of both objectives. For now, there is no confirmation that an agreement has been reached with any candidate.
Carrick Arrives for Training as Decision Looms
Despite growing speculation surrounding his future, Carrick reported for duty at Manchester United's Carrington training ground on Tuesday morning. According to the Manchester Evening News, the 45-year-old arrived at approximately 7:15 a.m., with members of the squad not involved in international duty also expected to attend training. The report suggested that an announcement could come as early as November 10, although the club had not communicated a definitive decision at the time. Meanwhile, the Press Association reported that officials at Old Trafford were continuing their assessment during the international break, despite growing expectations that a managerial change would take place.
The current uncertainty leaves Carrick in an uncomfortable position, particularly because his connection with Manchester United extends far beyond his time as head coach. As a former player, he was part of one of the club's most successful eras and remains closely associated with its modern history. His return to a prominent coaching role initially offered the possibility of stability and continuity, but the speed of United's decline has raised difficult questions about whether those qualities are enough to overcome the team's current problems. A managerial departure would be another painful chapter for a club that has struggled to establish a sustained period of success since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement.
Can Another Manager Really Fix Manchester United?
The immediate challenge for whoever takes charge is clear: Manchester United must escape the Premier League relegation zone while attempting to salvage their European campaign. With just one league victory from ten matches, the team has already fallen well behind its original expectations, and the upcoming trip to Liverpool offers an exceptionally difficult assignment for any new manager. Beyond the results, United need improvements in defensive organisation, concentration, game management and overall consistency. Their recent comebacks have demonstrated that the squad possesses attacking quality and determination, but those qualities have too often been overshadowed by costly mistakes and extended periods of ineffective football.
The situation also raises wider questions about United's sporting structure and the responsibility of the club's hierarchy. Changing managers may provide an immediate psychological boost, but a different coach will inherit many of the same players and underlying weaknesses that have contributed to the current crisis. Wilcox, Berrada and Ratcliffe must therefore consider not only who can deliver an improvement in results, but also whether the club has created the conditions required for a manager to succeed over several seasons. If United appoint another coach without addressing deeper sporting problems, the risk is that the cycle of managerial changes continues without producing lasting stability.
As of November 10, Michael Carrick has not been officially dismissed, but the latest reporting indicates
Published by Patrick Jane
10.11.2026