Just Now: Manchester United Sack Michael Carrick With Immediate Effect

Manchester United have sacked manager Michael Carrick with immediate effect, according to a post on x from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The decision comes following a chaotic 4-4 draw with Aston Villa at Old Trafford, a result that left the club’s hierarchy with no choice but to act. The under-fire boss was given the Villa match, and the midweek Champions League visit of Roma, to save his job, but it ultimately proved insufficient.

The sacking marks a brutal end to Carrick’s permanent tenure, just ten league games after he guided United to a third-place finish last season and was handed a two-year contract.

The 2026/27 campaign has been a disaster for the Red Devils, who find themselves in the Premier League relegation zone after winning just one of their first 10 matches and collecting only eight points. The final straw was the defensive collapse against Aston Villa, where United twice fought back from two-goal deficits but still couldn’t secure a win.

Prior to the official announcement, Fabrizio Romano had been providing consistent updates on the precarious nature of Carrick’s position. Writing on X on November 11, 2026, Romano stated: “Michael Carrick, at Carrington today to lead Manchester United training again — same as yesterday.

“No formal communication from the club on his future yet but from today expected any moment. The expectation remains for Carrick to be sacked, waiting for Sir Jim Ratcliffe green light.”.

Romano had also noted that the club were “not advancing on any other solution” to replace Carrick in the immediate aftermath of the Villa draw, highlighting the fluidity of the situation.

The decision to relieve Carrick of his duties was reportedly made following a meeting of the Old Trafford hierarchy—including Sir Jim Ratcliffe, CEO Omar Berrada, and director of football Jason Wilcox—in Monaco on Wednesday.

According to reports, the club’s co-owners had lost faith in Carrick, who is understood to have felt “disrespected” by the way news of his departure was leaked to the media before he received any direct explanation from the club.

With Carrick’s exit confirmed, attention now turns to his successor. Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as the leading contender for the Manchester United job. According to Fabrizio Romano, Pochettino is a viable option due to a release clause in his contract with the US men’s national team.

Romano explained on his YouTube channel: “Mauricio Pochettino was already considered by INEOS, by Sir Jim Ratcliffe few years ago… in this contract, there is a release clause. So, there is an exit way for Mauricio Pochettino in case Man Utd decide to go for him.”.

Other names previously linked with the role include Julian Nagelsmann and Eddie Howe, though Pochettino has now moved to the front of the queue. United are expected to formally confirm the appointment of their new manager in due course as they look to salvage a season that is rapidly spiraling into a relegation battle.