Manchester United are preparing to part ways with head coach Michael Carrick after a disastrous start to the Premier League campaign that has left the club in the relegation zone.
Reports from England indicate that the club’s hierarchy has decided to end Carrick’s reign following a disappointing run of results, with former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino emerging as the leading candidate to replace him.
Carrick, who was appointed permanent head coach in May on a two-year contract, has come under intense pressure after United managed just one victory in their opening 10 Premier League matches, leaving them 18th in the table with eight points.
The former England international’s position became increasingly difficult following Sunday’s dramatic 4-4 draw against Aston Villa at Old Trafford. Despite rescuing a point through late goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu, United’s defensive weaknesses once again exposed the team’s struggles.
Villa had taken a two-goal lead inside the opening four minutes before United fought back to level matters through Bruno Fernandes and Youri Tielemans. However, further defensive lapses allowed the visitors to restore their advantage before United salvaged a draw in stoppage time.
The result extended United’s winless run in the Premier League to eight matches, intensifying pressure on Carrick and prompting renewed discussions among the club’s senior officials about his future.
According to reports, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox have been involved in discussions with minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe over the club’s next move.
The situation represents a dramatic fall for Carrick, who initially enjoyed an impressive spell after taking charge in January following the departure of Ruben Amorim.
During his interim spell, he guided United to 11 victories in 16 matches, helping the club finish third in the Premier League and secure qualification for the Champions League. His achievements earned him a permanent appointment in May.
However, the momentum from that successful period has disappeared, with United struggling to find consistency and conceding goals at an alarming rate.
Carrick had previously survived mounting pressure following a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on October 25, with the club opting to give him more time to turn around the team’s fortunes.
But the subsequent poor league performances, including the latest draw against Aston Villa, appear to have weakened his position further.
Meanwhile, Pochettino is reportedly close to agreeing to take over at Old Trafford. The Argentine, who currently manages the United States national team, previously coached Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Southampton and Paris Saint-Germain.
He guided Tottenham to the 2019 Champions League final and won the French Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain.
However, his immediate availability could be affected by the United States’ upcoming international commitments against Haiti on November 14 and 18.
Manchester United face an important test when they visit arch-rivals Liverpool at Anfield on November 22, with the club desperate to restore its competitiveness after a disappointing start to the campaign.
For Carrick, the reported decision would mark a painful end to a managerial spell that began with considerable optimism but unravelled within months.
