Michael Carrick’s future as Manchester United manager is in severe doubt after overseeing the club’s worst start to the Premier League season in 40 years that has left them in the relegation zone, with Mauricio Pochettino looking set to replace him.
A second Old Trafford comeback of the week, this time battling from two goals down twice to rescue a 4-4 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday, might not be enough to save Carrick’s job and he is at risk of being sacked after just 10 games of the season and with his side 18th during the international break.
United ended a nine-game winless run when they came from two goals down to beat Roma in the Champions League last week but they have not won in eight attempts in the Premier League and have just one top-flight win this campaign.
Carrick survived crisis talks with the United hierarchy after defeats to Como and Bournemouth last month and was given time to turn results around, but speculation over a change begun the day after Sunday’s chaotic draw and The Independent understands contact was initially made with United States boss Pochettino over succeeding Carrick on Monday.
The Old Trafford hierarchy, including Jason Wilcox, Omar Berrarda and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, are set to meet in Monaco today to discuss Carrick’s future as the club are now close to agreeing a deal with Pochettino should they decide to move on from the current boss.
Follow latest updates from Old Trafford here:
Read MoreMauricio Pochettino becomes major candidate to replace Michael Carrick as Man United manager
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Man United manager - latest updates
- Michael Carrick's future to be decided after Man United's worst domestic start in 40 years
- United close to agreement with US national team boss Mauricio Pochettino to become their next manager if Carrick is sacked
- Pochettino and United are close to an agreement to replace Carrick
- United hierarchy set for talks in Monaco today to discuss club's next steps
A leaky defence
14:00 , Mike JonesManchester United have now gone five consecutive games where they have gone 2-0 down.
The draw with Villa was the second time, after Roma last week, where they avoided defeat.
Draw: 4-4 vs Aston Villa
Win: 3-2 vs Roma
Loss: 0-2 vs Chelsea
Loss: 0-3 vs Bournemouth
Loss: 1-4 vs Como
Whoever is in the dugout for the trip to Liverpool after the international break will first have to shore up United’s leaking defence and then try to get the forwards clicking in front of goal.
Man United close to agreement with Pochettino
13:51 , Miguel Delaney, Chief Football WriterThe Independent’s Chief Football Writer Miguel Delaney reports that Manchester United are close to an agreement with Mauricio Pochettino to become their next manager.
It is not yet rubber-stamped that Michael Carrick will be sacked, as the United hierarchy meet in Monaco to fully decide, but that is the expectation and Pochettino is now lined up as a replacement.
United will need to agree a deal to release Pochettino from his contract with the United States and as of right now, it is not clear that they have yet contacted US Soccer to open talks
Carrick will not walk away from Man Utd job
13:45 , Mike JonesMichael Carrick said he still expects to be working with Manchester United over the international break and insisted he will not walk away.
United sit 18th in the table and they are now eight league games without a win – a club record in the Premier League era – with their only victory of the season back in August against newly-promoted Ipswich.
Asked on Sky Sports if he would quit if he felt it was the right thing to do for the club, Carrick said: “That’s not going to happen.”
Then, speaking in his post-match press conference, Carrick expressed confidence his side could still turn things around this season.
“One hundred per cent,” he said. “I think there’s more than enough. Goals change games and we’ve got to deal with it and it’s something we have to improve on drastically. But there’s more than enough, we’re just making it too difficult for ourselves at the moment in certain times…
“I’m quite clear with what direction the club needs to go in. We’ve just got to win games.”
Mixed messages from United
13:30 , Mike JonesRoy Keane then went on to explain what impressed him about Man Utd’s display against Villa despite the result and the ‘dreadful’ defending.
“I think we’ve said previously there have been question marks over this team but they’re showing a bit of fight, a bit of desire and, as bad as the game was from a footballing point of view, they kept going to the end,” Keane explained.
“So, on the one hand, you say dreadful to give up four goals at home, but they kept going, so we have to give them a little bit of praise.
“In terms of the bigger picture, it’s that rollercoaster of watching United. Some bits were so, so bad. Defensively the way it started, the start of the second half, but they found a way to get a point in a game where they looked dead and buried.
“Still nowhere near good enough to try and get towards the middle of the table.”
Roy Keane on how Carrick is handling the situation
13:15 , Mike JonesFormer Manchester United captain, Roy Keane, also spoke on Sky Sports following Carrick’s interview with Pete Davison and gave his thoughts on the situation.
He said: “It’s obviously difficult for the manager, he’s under pressure no doubt. He talks a lot but doesn’t say much – maybe that’s a tactic. He’s like a politician.
“He’s clearly under pressure and says he knows there are things to work on but he better get moving on that... This is their worst start in however many years.”
Michael Carrick has awkward exchange with interviewer
13:00 , Mike JonesMichael Carrick endured an awkward end to a post-match interview following the 4-4 draw with Aston Villa as he had an excruciating exchange about his future as Manchester United manager.
His post-match interview on Sky Sports with reporter Patrick Davison was an awkward watch.
Davison asked a lengthy question suggesting there were clearly going to be conversations about Carrick’s future during the international break, to which Carrick simply responded: "Is there?"
When it was suggested that one would assume so, Carrick tersely said: “Would you?” and when he was pushed for what he thought about his situation, the Man United boss said to Davison: “You’re telling me, what do you think?”.
Sir Alex Ferguson endorsed Mauricio Pochettino due to key Man United trait
12:45 , Jack RathbornThe legendary Scottish manager hailed Mauricio Pochettino back in 2016, with the Argentine strongly linked a decade on to succeed Michael Carrick after a dismal run of form for United.
Ferguson endorsed Pochettino due to key Man United trait
Carrick back players despite struggles
12:30 , Mike JonesThere are many problems at Manchester United and one of the perceived issues, certainly with fans, is that the club have brought in players who are not good enough to excel at the club.
Diogo Dalot was the most recent recipent of the supporters’ ire following the 4-4 draw with Aston Villa.
Dalot was substituted during the game and the decision to remove him was cheered.
“We’ve got to be careful with that, I think,” Carrick said after the game.
“I understand the frustration. I understand the disappointment of the supporters, so I get it. We’re all frustrated. We’re all disappointed.
“The players are as much as anyone, I guarantee you that. Diogo gives absolutely everything. He’s played in different positions. He’s played left-back. He’s played really well at times.
“He gives a penalty away. He knows that, maybe he can do a little bit better. Alright, that’s part of it, he’s made a mistake.
“But he cares an awful lot, and he’s given everything, so I like what he brings to the team. I like what he brings to the group.”
Carrick carrying on as normal
12:15 , Mike JonesMichael Carrick spoke about Man Utd’s tough run of results ahead of this current international break.
Following United’s 4-4 draw against Aston Villa on Sunday, Carrick said: “Yeah, it’s been a right mixed week or two or three, really, if you’re looking at the events.
“But I’m pretty clear where we need to go and how we need to get there.
“Obviously some of the boys will be flying off around the world and different things, and the group will be split for 10 days or so.
“But as a normal international week is, you know, we’ll have some training. We’ll have one or two days off, but not too much. But we’ll train, and we’ll get ready for the next game.”
BREAKING: Manchester United reach verbal agreement with Pochettino
12:04 , Mike JonesSky Sports News say that a verbal agreement in principle has been agreed betwen Mauricio Pochettino and Manchester United.
They say that United will want to move quickly if they sack Michael Carrick.
There are some details still to be worked out with Pochettino but the feelings are strong that no issues will occur.
United must talk to US Soccer to buy Pochettino out of his contract with the national team. That will also include a £7m fee + more if Pochettino’s staff come with him.
Mauricio Pochettino becomes major candidate to replace Michael Carrick as Man United manager
12:00 , Miguel DelaneyThe United States head coach has a contract until the 2030 World Cup but the former Tottenham and Chelsea boss could emerge as a candidate to succeed Michael Carrick with United lodged inside the relegation zone.
Man Utd identify major candidate as manager before final call on Carrick
More candidates to possibly replace Michael Carrick
11:45 , Jamie BraidwoodAntonio Conte
The appeal of the combustible Italian only has grown while United have been accused of becoming too passive and pedestrian on the pitch. Conte is one of the most demanding coaches in the game and would instantly bring a level of intensity and urgency that has been lacking this season, while his CV – with Serie A titles at Juventus, Inter Milan and Napoli and a Premier League crown with Chelsea – commands respect.
Conte also brought an immediate improvement when he took charge of a floundering Tottenham five years ago and led them back into the Champions League, which now has to be United’s biggest concern. So the 57-year-old offers impact, but then what?
Conte has a sharp tongue and is not afraid to criticise his bosses if he feels they are failing to support him. His exit from Tottenham in March 2023 followed a stunning evisceration of the club in a now legendary press conference at Southampton.
United would be playing with fire but options of Conte’s calibre are few and far between. Conte has also distanced himself from the Manchester United job while branding reports that he is in “advanced negotiations” with any club as “speculation”.
More candidates to possibly replace Michael Carrick
11:30 , Jamie BraidwoodUnai Emery
The Spaniard has done a superb job at Aston Villa by securing Champions League qualification and ending the club’s trophy drought with victory in the Europa League.
But Aston Villa will be even more determined to keep Emery given the club are only in the early stages of their rebuild under him, having completely overhauled the spine of their team over the summer.
As it is, Emery enjoys complete control over his project at Villa Park, a reality he is unlikely to find at Old Trafford, while he appears enthused by the challenge of constructing a second competitive team in the Premier League.
With Emery, who is under contract until 2029, United would also need to pay Villa compensation, and that may place him above their budget.
Man Utd's upcoming fixtures
11:15 , Mike JonesShould Carrick remain in charge or should he be replaced whoever is in the dugout following the international break will have a tricky start.
United’s next fixture is against Liverpool in the Premier League before a run of games against clubs that could firmly place them in a relegation battle should they fail to win them.
These are United’s next six fixtures:
Liverpool (A) - Premier League - Sunday November 22
Sporting (A) - Champions League - Wednesday November 25
Brentford (H) - Premier League - Saturday November 28
Newcastle (A) - Premier League - Wednesday December 2
Coventry (H) - Premier League - Saturday December 5
RB Leipzig (H) - Champions League - Tuesday December 8
Candidates to possibly replace Michael Carrick
11:00 , Jamie BraidwoodJulian Nagelsmann
The former wunderkind of German coaching was reportedly on United’s radar when they sacked Ruben Amorim at the start of the year, but as an option for the summer following the World Cup.
Well, that was a bit of a disaster for the former Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig coach, as Germany were knocked out in the last-32 by Paraguay.
Nagelsmann, 39, would naturally be interested in managing United and the club’s director of recruitment, Christopher Vivell, previously worked with him at Red Bull.
Candidates to possibly replace Michael Carrick
10:45 , Jamie BraidwoodFabian Hurzeler
Brighton have been the surprise package in the Premier League this season and the 33-year-old Hurzeler has drawn praise for turning the Seagulls into a side capable of competing with the country’s biggest clubs.
Brighton’s 3-0 victory over champions Arsenal earlier this season was a masterclass in modern coaching while Hurzeler’s side also knocked United out of the Carabao Cup with a brilliant 3-2 win at Old Trafford.
The Independent’s Chief Football Writer Miguel Delaney has reported that Hurzeler is admired at Old Trafford but Brighton would demand significant compensation for the highly-rated German and United may not have the cash.
At Brighton, Hurzeler has also enjoyed an environment where the club have made all the right decisions off the pitch. At United, he would arguably be walking into the opposite.
Candidates to possibly replace Michael Carrick
10:30 , Jamie BraidwoodEddie Howe
The Englishman is available after his shock decision to leave Newcastle United in the summer.
Howe told the club he needed a break from management but the chance to take charge at Old Trafford, three months later, would surely be too good to turn down if an offer arrives.
The 48-year-old remains highly regarded in English football after taking over a Newcastle side in the relegation zone and leading them to the club’s highest Premier League finish in two decades, as well as their first domestic silverware in 70 years.
Howe twice took Newcastle into the Champions League playing an energetic, high-intensity style of football that would be popular at Old Trafford.
Candidates to possibly replace Michael Carrick
10:15 , Jamie BraidwoodMauricio Pochettino
The current odds-on favourite after emerging as a key target, yet Man United could face a problem getting the Argentine out of his United States contract, having committed to terms up to the next World Cup in 2030.
Compensation in excess of £7m could follow, yet United are in a desperate situation and the experience and presence of Pochettino could spark a reaction from a group desperately short of inspiration.
Pochettino’s powers have waned since his famous spell with Spurs, though his exit at Chelsea came at the end of a promising run to conclude the 2023/24 season.
There was immense potential and excitement to start the 2026 World Cup, but a combination of the Folarin Balogun scandal and then a thumping at the hands of Belgium in the last 16 took the shine off Pochettino’s performance from the dugout.
Now, it remains to be seen if he can deliver once more in club football in what would surely be his most difficult job to date. United seem willing to roll the dice with him and are reportedly ‘close’ to agreeing a deal to bring him to Old Trafford.
Pochettino's credentials
10:00 , Mike JonesMauricio Pochettino began his managerial career at Espanyol before moving to Southampton for a 16-month spell in charge.
The Argentine was then appointed as manager of Tottenham in the summer of 2014 and established them as a top four club, taking them to the Champions League final in 2019 before being dismissed less than six months afterwards.
He won three trophies as manager of Paris Saint-Germain including the 2021/22 Ligue 1 title.
In 2023/24 he spent a season as Chelsea boss before being fired in the summer.
Pochettino then replaced Gregg Berhalter as United States Men’s National Team head coach in 2024, following the side’s group-stage exit from the Copa America. He has won 21 of his 35 matches in charge and took the nation to the last-16 of the World Cup this summer.
Manchester United's 2026/27 results
09:52 , Mike JonesFollowing the end of last season and Man Utd’s third place finish in the Premier League hope was high for a positive season in 2026/27.
The club were back in the Champions League and Michael Carrick had the players firing on the pitch but things didn’t turn out as planned.
A 2-0 defeat to newly promoted Hull City on the opening day of the season kicked off the campaign with the worst possible start and things declined from there.
United’s 5-2 victory over Ipswich was peppered with mistakes while a draw against Everton and then Sabah in the Champions League offered some hope.
That Sabah win came on September 10th and United did not win another game until November 3rd which translated to a nine-match winless run.
In that time they lost to rivals Man City - who played the majority of the game with 10-men - and were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Brighton despite being 2-0 up at Old Trafford.
A 4-1 defeat to Como in Europe then kick started a run of games which saw United conced 15 goals in five games. Three of those ended in defeats with one win and one draw.
The latter are United’s two most recent matches which were both fraught affairs.
United came from 2-0 down against Roma to triumph 3-2 in the Champions League while the Red Devils twice overcame a two goal deficit against Aston Villa to secure a 4-4 draw in the league last Sunday.
The real reason why Man United are desperate to avoid sacking Michael Carrick
09:45 , Mike JonesMan United’s dramatic comeback against Aston Villa raises more questions around the direction of the club, explains Miguel Delaney, with Carrick’s demise exposing a more worrying truth about the club.
The real reason why Man Utd are desperate to avoid sacking Carrick
If not Poch, then who?
09:39 , Mike JonesWe’re firmly in speculation territory here as we wait for an update from the Monaco discussions over Carrick’s future.
Reports put Mauricio Pochettino as the favourite to replace Carrick should he be sacked but if it is not Poch then who else is in line?
Rumoured names include former Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe, former Germany and Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann, Premier League winner Antonio Conte, rising star with Brighton Fabian Hurzeler or even another interim manager for the time being.
Is it finally time for Poch?
09:33 , Mike JonesMauricio Pochettino and Manchester United have been linked with each other many times before.
Poch was first linked with a move to Old Trafford following Jose Mourinho’s sacking in 2018 and then again after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was let go in 2022.
He was linked again in 2024 when Erik ten Hag was dismissed before the club decided on Ruben Amorim.
Pochettino has not hidden from his desire to manage in the Premier League again and United are perhaps the most exciting opportunity for a manager keen to succeed.
If Pochettino does join and does bring the club back to their former heights it boosts his stock as a manager hugely.
Monaco summit pre-planned
09:27 , Mike JonesMan United chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox were due to fly out to Monaco on Tuesday for meetings with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
That summit of INEOS CEOs was scheduled before the pressure ramped up on Michael Carrick.
Carrick’s future is not specifically on the agenda but he wil absolutely be discussed and a decision on whether to stick with him or twist to someone else will be made.
United's worst start
09:21 , Mike JonesManchester United have made their worst start to a season in 40 years under Michael Carrick this year.
They’ve won just once in the Premier League, against Ipswich Town, and have gained only eight points from the first 10 matches.
Pressure has mounted increasingly on Carrick over recent weeks though United are unbeaten in their last two games with a 3-2 win over Roma in the Champions League followed by a 4-4 draw against Aston Villa on Sunday.
That win over Roma is United’s only victory, across all competitions, in their last 11 games.
Michael Carrick’s future is up to the Man United hierarchy – will they stick or twist?
09:15 , Richard JollyUnited’s recent ramshackle play has left them in the Premier League relegation zone and provided no definitive answer on Carrick’s capability, leaving the club’s decision makers with a big choice.
Michael Carrick’s future is up to the Man Utd hierarchy – will they stick or twist?
Carrick arrives at Carrington
09:05 , Mike JonesWith the decision over Carrick’s future to be made in Monaco, the current United manager has arrived at the Carrington training ground to continue on as normal.
With the international break now in full flow, Carrick is taking training with the members of United’s squad not chosen to for international duty.
Carrick’s handling of the situation and speculation has been admired but, like all of us, he is waiting for an update on his situation.
Manchester United close to deal with Pochettino
09:02 , Mike JonesManchester United have opened talks with USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino as they explore their options to replace Michael Carrick.
Pochettino and the club are reportedly ‘close’ to agreeing a deal after talks on Tuesday between United and representatives for the Argentine.
According to The Athletic, no issues over personal terms are anticipated but United would have to trigger an exit clause in Pochettino’s US Soccer contract which is worth $10m (£7.4m).
Securing Pochettino services would also come with the additional expense of compensation for his staff who will join him at Old Trafford.
What is happening with Michael Carrick?
08:55 , Mike JonesLet’s run down where things are currently at in regards to Michael Carrick’s future at Manchester United.
No decision over his future has yet been made but signs are pointing to the current boss facing the sack as early as today.
Carrick’s United have struggled this season with only one win in the Premier League and the team sitting 18th in the table after 10 games.
The powers that be at Old Trafford are set to meet today in Monaco to discuss the next steps for the club with those discussions set to revolve around the future of Carrick as manager.
The Manchester United fans have been vocal in support of Carrick, especially in the wake of a comeback victory over Roma last week and another comeback to draw 4-4 with Aston Villa in the league on Sunday.
United are also reportedly undergoing due diligence on possible replacements for Carrick with Mauricio Pochettino currently the favourite to step into the dugout if Carrick is sacked.
Good morning!
08:47 , Mike JonesIt could be a day of movement for Manchester United as the club’s hierarchy are set to meet in Monaco to discuss the future of manager Michael Carrick.
Chief Executive Officer Omar Berrada and Director of Football Jason Wilcox are set to meet with minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to discuss the next moves for the club after United’s worst start to a season in 40 years.
The club are sitting inside the relegation zone after 10 Premier League matches and the decision whether to stick or twist with Carrick is set to be made at some point on Wednesday.
