Pressure mounts on Carrick as Premier League's sacking season approaches
No top-flight manager has been dismissed yet this season, but history and mounting scrutiny at Manchester United suggest November and December could bring change.
Pressure is building on Manchester United manager Michael Carrick after a chastening 4-1 Champions League defeat at Como, with the Premier League's traditional 'sacking season' approaching. No top-flight boss has been dismissed so far this campaign, but history suggests that could change soon: November and December account for almost a third of all in-season managerial departures across the competition's 34 completed seasons, with boards often acting around autumn international breaks and before the winter transfer window.
United's problems extend beyond the scoreline. Following Lisandro Martinez's public critique of the club's hierarchy, captain Bruno Fernandes appeared to question Carrick's tactics in Como. Match of the Day pundit Nedum Onuoha said the apparent split — with Fernandes attributing the loss to the approach and Carrick believing the players did not run enough for it — could make it hard to keep dressing-room backing, adding that Carrick's solitary applause toward the away fans showed he knew how poor the performance was.
Last season, departing Premier League managers had spent an average of 310 days in charge — the second-lowest on record, better only than 1994-95's 154. Eleven bosses left during 2025-26, with only Enzo Maresca's Chelsea resignation voluntary. Short reigns have become more common: Ange Postecoglou lasted 39 days at Nottingham Forest, while Igor Tudor managed one point from five league games before leaving Spurs after 44 days. A record nine clubs started this season with new permanent managers, five of whom are in the bottom half.
Carrick is not alone in facing scrutiny. New Nottingham Forest boss Oliver Glasner and Sunderland's Regis le Bris, whose side are also competing in the Europa League, are described as anxious. Crystal Palace's Pierre Sage apologised to fans after a 5-0 defeat by Brighton and is under pressure four months after arriving from Lens, while Newcastle's new boss Matthias Jaissle could use a quick positive result.
Others have eased the heat. Roberto de Zerbi's successive wins lifted Spurs to 12th, and Fulham's Alvaro Arbeloa followed back-to-back 1-0 victories. Bournemouth's Marco Rose has had an unconvincing domestic start but extended a perfect Europa League run by beating AC Milan, with his side visiting Carrick's United on Sunday. According to the article, supporters' unrest at Old Trafford is reflected in the scrutiny on Carrick, though no club has yet acted this season.
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