Carrick sacked by Manchester United after chaotic start to season
Michael Carrick has been dismissed as Manchester United head coach less than six months into a two-year deal, with the club replacing its manager mid-season for a third successive campaign.
Michael Carrick has been sacked by Manchester United less than six months after signing a two-year contract in May, making him the third manager the club has replaced mid-season in as many seasons. The decision follows a chaotic run that included a 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth, a 4-4 draw with Aston Villa in which United recovered from 4-2 down in stoppage time, and inconsistent results in the Premier League and Champions League.
Carrick's position appeared precarious after the Bournemouth loss, but United took 44 hours to publicly confirm they were keeping him, and he was reportedly informed the day before. Results since then were mixed: a 2-0 loss at Chelsea in which Lisandro Martinez was sent off, a 3-2 comeback win over Roma after trailing by two goals inside 17 minutes, and the Villa draw. Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox subsequently travelled to Monaco to inform minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe that a change was needed.
The season began amid optimism after 12 wins in 17 games under Carrick and a return to the Champions League. However, injuries and recruitment problems disrupted the squad. Amad Diallo suffered an ankle injury before the opener at Hull, while Benjamin Sesko was working back from a shin issue and was later ruled out for a long period. Summer signings Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos arrived, but Baleba did not debut until October and is now out with a hamstring problem.
Criticism also came from within. Martinez publicly blamed United's summer recruitment on Wilcox, while Bruno Fernandes questioned Carrick's tactics after a 4-1 defeat by Como. Carrick made mistakes, including an ill-prepared performance at Hull, but sources close to one player questioned why so much recruitment focus went on midfield when it pushed Fernandes away from his central role. Supporters continued to sing Carrick's name even as others at the club faced anger, and his decision to stand among his players after the Villa draw reflected his emphasis on the collective.
United have conceded 30 goals this season, the most of any team in Europe's top five leagues apart from Lens, and their defensive and left-back options were left unaddressed. Carrick had said in August that the club needed more signings. United sources defend the recruitment strategy, arguing the squad is capable of finishing in the Champions League places, but the club is well short of that target more than a quarter into the season. Mauricio Pochettino looks likely to be the replacement, with Berrada and Wilcox hoping for calm after another period of upheaval.
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
