Key Takeaways:
- Michael Carrick was sacked as Manchester United head coach, with the club sitting 18th in the Premier League
- The team extended their winless league streak to eight after a 4-4 draw with Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday
- Carrick’s tenure included 32 matches in charge, with 15 wins and a 1.74 points-per-game average
Club Statement Marks End of Carrick’s Tenure
Manchester United announced on Thursday that Michael Carrick had been relieved of his duties as head coach, following a challenging spell that sees the club 18th in the Premier League standings and in the relegation zone. The decision, which was made by chief executive Omar Berrada, director of football Jason Wilcox, and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco, followed reports regarding Carrick’s future after the club’s ongoing struggles.
We can confirm Michael Carrick has departed his role as men’s first-team head coach.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 12, 2026
The club released a statement today, which read: “After a disappointing start to the season, the club has come to the extremely difficult conclusion that a change is necessary in order to achieve our ambitions.”
It further added: “Michael is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend. Just as he did as a player, he has conducted himself with the highest standards of dedication and professionalism throughout his time back with the club. His leadership and achievements last season will always be fondly remembered.”
The statement concluded with: “The club intends to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible.”
Season Struggles and Statistics
United’s decision follows last Sunday’s dramatic 4-4 draw with Aston Villa at Old Trafford, which stretched the team’s winless league run to eight matches. The club is enduring its most difficult domestic campaign in four decades, and Carrick has become the second manager to be dismissed in as many seasons.
During his spell as head coach, Carrick oversaw 32 games in all competitions, winning 15 for a win percentage of 47%. In Premier League fixtures, that win rate improved marginally to 48%, and his points-per-game tally sits at 1.74 – the highest for any United manager since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who achieved 1.81.
Turbulent Period and Managerial Changes
Carrick’s time in the dugout began in January after Ruben Amorim’s departure, initially on a short-term agreement until season’s end. After guiding United to Champions League qualification with a third-place league finish, he was rewarded with a two-year contract in May. However, results deteriorated sharply in the current campaign, with the team managing just a single league win and three victories in all competitions.
A 3-0 loss to Bournemouth at Old Trafford last month raised speculation over Carrick’s position, but the club chose to keep faith in him for several more matches. United triumphed against Roma in the Champions League during that period but recorded only one win across the next three fixtures.
Legacy at Manchester United
As a player, Carrick made 464 appearances for United and was instrumental in winning five Premier League titles, one Champions League, and the FA Cup. His post-playing career at Old Trafford included time as part of the coaching staff under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He also served a brief spell as caretaker manager following Solskjaer’s dismissal before joining Middlesbrough for two and a half years. Carrick returned to Manchester United in January this year to begin this latest chapter, which has now drawn to a close.
