Twelve wins from 17 matches. That was Michael Carrick's calling card when he returned to Old Trafford in January 2026, steering Manchester United to a third-place Premier League finish and briefly restoring faith in a club that had been searching for stability. Fast forward a few months, and the honeymoon is well and truly over.
Manchester United have confirmed they are parting ways with Carrick with immediate effect, following what the club describes as a disappointing start to the 2026/27 Premier League campaign. The decision, they admit, was an extremely difficult one, but United's hierarchy felt a managerial change was the only way to get the season back on track.
The club's official statement was generous in its praise, acknowledging Carrick's professionalism, dedication, and leadership throughout his time in charge. "Michael is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend," the statement read. "Just as he did as a player, he has conducted himself with the highest standards of dedication and professionalism." Kind words, certainly, but they come with a P45 attached.
With the manager's chair now empty, attention quickly turns to who comes next. Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly among the leading candidates to take the job, and United fans who remember his work at Tottenham and PSG will have plenty of opinions about that. Whether he is the man to steady the ship remains to be seen.
Originally published by NotJustOk.