Manchester United dismisses Michael Carrick and moves to appoint USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino

Carrick's dismissal

Manchester United dismissed Michael Carrick on Thursday, 12 November, after a start that left the club 18th in the Premier League table and in the relegation zone. United have taken eight points from 10 league games and have won only one, their worst start to a league season in 40 years. The decision followed an internal review, and chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox told Carrick at the Carrington training ground that Thursday morning that his time in charge was over. Carrick had been given a two-year contract in May and lasted only 16 games in the job.

In announcing the decision, the club said:

“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.”

Four assistants, Steve Holland, Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans and Travis Binnion, are also out of the club. Parting ways with Carrick and his backroom team is expected to cost about £5m once contractual protections are factored in.

Pochettino's move

Mauricio Pochettino, 54, has emerged as the only candidate United pursued once it learned he was available. He signed a four-year deal in August tying him to the US men's team through the 2030 World Cup, and United's work to conclude its deal centred on a break clause in that recently signed contract. According to The New York Times, Pochettino is set to sign a two-and-a-half year contract at Old Trafford running until 2029, subject to completion. United are expected to pay the buyout in his US contract, which the paper puts at roughly $10 million (£7.4m), while SAPO cited about 10.8 million euros. United formally told the US Soccer Federation of its intention on Wednesday, 11 November, the night before Carrick was dismissed.

Pochettino was also a leading candidate in 2022, when Erik ten Hag was hired. He took charge of the US in 2024 and led the team to the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup.

Handling and reaction

Gary Neville called the way United treated Carrick "disgusting", saying Carrick had been left hanging in Manchester while the club lined up Pochettino as his replacement. Carrick is believed to feel sore over the timing and the manner of the news, and the club's hierarchy understands his frustrations and regrets the leak. Berrada contacted Carrick's representatives on Monday, 9 November, and Wilcox spoke to Carrick the following day. Berrada and Wilcox then flew to Monaco on Tuesday, 10 November, to meet co-owner Jim Ratcliffe, and they returned to Manchester on Wednesday night. They chose to deliver the dismissal in person rather than over the phone, and United sources said the club followed due diligence and the right process.

Players and what comes next

At the US national training center in Fayetteville, Georgia, striker Folarin Balogun said he wanted Pochettino to stay:

“If I had a vote, I would like to keep things the way they are.”

Players have praised Pochettino's impact on the squad, even while sensing that he is likely to leave. Pochettino is still expected to lead the USMNT against Haiti on Saturday, 14 November, and in a second game on Tuesday, 17 November, though SAPO dates that match to 18 November. Core staff are expected to depart after those games, and the head coach is then due to arrive in Manchester before United face Liverpool at Anfield on 22 November. An announcement on the appointment could come as soon as Friday, 13 November.