- Manchester United sacked Michael Carrick yesterday and said: “The club intends to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible.”
- Mauricio Pochettino could be announced today, with United reportedly ready to trigger a £7million release clause and hand him a two-and-a-half-year contract until 2029
- Bruno Fernandes has rejected a second contract offer, with the length of the deal and salary understood to be the main unresolved issues
Pochettino Set for Manchester United Role
Manchester United are moving quickly towards appointing Mauricio Pochettino as their next manager after dismissing Michael Carrick yesterday. The club confirmed its intention to act without delay, stating: “The club intends to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible.”
Pochettino has long been lined up for the Old Trafford job, and an agreement is reportedly already in place. United are expected to activate his £7million release clause to cut short his spell as head coach of the United States national team. The official announcement could come as early as today.
The 54-year-old is said to be ready to sign a two-and-a-half-year contract until 2029. He is also expected to remain in charge of the USA for their two matches against Haiti during this international break before potentially arriving in Manchester next Wednesday.
United expect Pochettino at Carrington on Wednesday, the same day many players away on international duty are due back at the training base. His arrival would come only days before United travel to Anfield to face Liverpool the following Sunday. The Red Devils are unbeaten in their last three visits to Anfield since the infamous 7-0 defeat under Erik ten Hag.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has rejected a second contract offer from the club, with his current deal due to expire at the end of the season 📝 https://t.co/SihWoA0sTP
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 13, 2026
Fernandes Contract Talks Stall Again
Bruno Fernandes has rejected Manchester United’s second offer of a new contract. The 32-year-old Portugal international and club captain has not reached an agreement with United, despite the club’s desire to keep him.
The first proposal was made in the summer, but Fernandes did not accept it. United later returned with improved terms, yet those also failed to satisfy the midfielder. The key disagreements are understood to concern the length of the contract and the size of the salary.
Fernandes’ current deal expires at the end of this season, but United hold an option to extend the existing agreement by another 12 months to 2028.
If United do not take up the extension, Fernandes would be able from January to speak with foreign clubs about a possible free-agent move in the summer. Discussions with United are expected to continue, but they have hit a stumbling block. Crucially for the club, Fernandes is said to want to stay.
Why United Want Their Captain to Stay
United have strong sporting reasons to retain Fernandes. He produced an impressive 2025/26 season, was named Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association and Premier League Player of the Year by the PFA, registered a record 21 assists in the league, and helped United finish third and qualify for the Champions League.
This season, however, the team’s form has been much weaker, and Fernandes’ future has become a major issue for the incoming manager. He was also involved in controversy in recent weeks after criticising then-manager Michael Carrick following the Champions League defeat to Como. He was subsequently left out of the team for one match. It is not clear whether that episode could have any effect on negotiations over a new contract.
Why Carrick Was Removed
United’s board and owners believe the current squad is capable of significantly more than it has shown this season. Carrick was dismissed because the hierarchy felt the team had been massively underperforming.
United have won just one of 10 Premier League matches this season, with that victory coming against newly promoted Ipswich Town at Old Trafford. In cup competitions, they have won two of five games and exited the Carabao Cup in round three.
Players Send Messages to Carrick
Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes were among the small number of Manchester United players to post public messages after Carrick’s departure.
Maguire wrote on Instagram: “Will always be a legend. Respect. Thank you.”
Fernandes wrote: “Thanks for everything, boss.”
The United squad are believed to feel Carrick has been hard done by, particularly as he only signed a two-year contract in May.
