England v New Zealand in a friendly Florida Series Match, Tampa Bay, Florida Tampa Bay, Florida, USA, June 6, 2026, England player Marcus Rashford 11 during the 2026 FC Series at Raymond James Stadium. Copyright: xMartyxJean-Louisx
England v New Zealand in a friendly Florida Series Match, Tampa Bay, Florida Tampa Bay, Florida, USA, June 6, 2026, England player Marcus Rashford 11 during the 2026 FC Series at Raymond James Stadium. Copyright: xMartyxJean-Louisx
Manchester United have sacked head coach Michael Carrick, leaving the club 18th in the Premier League with one league win all season. The decision came on Thursday, in the international break.
A club statement said United had concluded that a change was necessary after a disappointing start to the season.
United lost 3-0 to Bournemouth and 2-0 at Chelsea in the league, and 4-1 at Como in the Champions League.
Aston Villa led Sunday’s game 2-0 and 4-2 before stoppage-time goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu earned a 4-4 draw. United’s position is their lowest after 10 top-flight games since 1986-87.
Carrick took charge in January after Ruben Amorim’s departure and guided United to third place and Champions League qualification.
The club made him permanent head coach in May on a contract until 2028. He was sacked 173 days after signing that deal.
Mauricio Pochettino is close to succeeding him, with an outline agreement in place with the United States coach and a framework agreed with US Soccer.
Pochettino signed a contract extension with the US three months ago, and it includes a $10 million release clause.
He is expected to take charge for the trip to Anfield. At the time of writing, United had not confirmed an appointment.
One player who could feature in that game is Marcus Rashford.
According to the Daily Mail, United hope the England forward can be fit for the Liverpool game a week on Sunday after he began a new treatment programme.
Rashford travelled to Dublin last week with a member of United’s medical staff to see a groin specialist, and a new recovery plan is now in place.
Rashford returned to Old Trafford in the summer after a year on loan at Barcelona, having sustained a hip injury at the World Cup.
The 29-year-old played in United’s first six league games of the season, the Carabao Cup tie against Brighton and the Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid in mid-October. He then aggravated the injury, and the problem spread to his groin.
He has missed United’s last six games.
Rashford has scored seven goals against Liverpool in his career, including in FA Cup wins over them in 2021 and 2024.
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