Manchester United manager Michael Carrick during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on March 1, 2026 in Manchester, England. ***Local Caption*** Michael Carrick Manchester Old Trafford England United Kingdom Copyright: xVisionhausx 776340632
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on March 1, 2026 in Manchester, England. ***Local Caption*** Michael Carrick Manchester Old Trafford England United Kingdom Copyright: xVisionhausx 776340632
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick is under increasing pressure, with the club heading into the international break sitting 18th in the Premier League and inside the relegation zone following Sunday’s dramatic 4-4 draw with Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
The former midfielder’s position has been precarious for several weeks following a difficult start to the season, with United managing just one league victory and three wins in all competitions.
After the 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth last month, the club’s hierarchy opted to give Carrick and his players more time to turn their fortunes around. However, the subsequent three matches produced just one victory, against Roma in the Champions League.
According to The Athletic, United are now expected to relieve the 45-year-old of his duties as head coach before the team returns to action.
United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino is expected to feature prominently among the potential candidates, while former Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann, who most recently managed Germany, also have admirers at Old Trafford.
A final decision on Carrick’s future will require approval from co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the club’s majority owners, the Glazer family.
Carrick was appointed United’s permanent head coach on a two-year contract in May following a successful spell as interim manager, having replaced Ruben Amorim in January.
United were seventh in the Premier League when he initially took temporary charge, but he oversaw a significant improvement in form, collecting 39 points from their remaining 17 matches to guide the club to a third-place finish.
No other side accumulated more league points following Carrick’s appointment last season, with United’s impressive run including victories over Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea.
However, that domestic form has failed to carry over into the current campaign, with United winning just one of their opening 10 Premier League fixtures before being eliminated from the Carabao Cup by Brighton & Hove Albion.
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