Manchester United Sack Michael Carrick Less Than Six Months Into Two-Year Deal After Club’s Worst-Ever Premier League Start

• Manchester United sack Michael Carrick after their worst-ever start to a Premier League season leaves them in the relegation zone with one win from 10 matches.

Manchester United have sacked head coach Michael Carrick less than six months after handing him a two-year contract. He leaves with the club in the Premier League relegation zone after picking up just one win from their opening 10 matches.

United announced the decision on Thursday morning, saying they had reached “the extremely difficult conclusion that a change is necessary in order to achieve our ambitions”.

Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox recommended the dismissal. Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe backed the decision at a meeting with club executives in Monaco. Carrick had taken training at Carrington on Wednesday.

Two comebacks couldn’t save Carrick’s job

Carrick’s final match in charge was Sunday’s 4–4 draw with Aston Villa. United conceded twice in the opening four minutes and trailed 4–2 early in the second half before scoring twice in stoppage time to rescue a point.

Days earlier, United had come from two goals down to beat Roma 3–2 in the Champions League. Those comebacks could do little to offset the club’s wider run of form. United won just three of their 15 matches in all competitions this season under Carrick.

Coaches Jonny Evans and Jonathan Woodgate are also expected to leave.

From third place to the relegation zone

Carrick took over in January 2026 following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim. Initially appointed until the end of the season, he won 12 of his 17 matches in charge, guiding United to third place and securing their return to the Champions League.

That run earned him a nomination for Premier League Manager of the Season. On May 22, United handed the former midfielder a contract running until 2028. His permanent spell ended less than six months later.