A club statement said: "Manchester United can confirm that Michael Carrick has departed his role as men's first-team head coach. ... After a disappointing start to the season, the club has come to the extremely difficult conclusion that a change is necessary in order to achieve our ambitions.

"Michael is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend. Just as he did as a player, he has conducted himself with the highest standards of dedication and professionalism throughout his time back with the club. His leadership and achievements last season will always be fondly remembered.

Carrick learned of the decision at Carrington on Thursday morning in a meeting with Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox, after the pair met minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco on Wednesday.

After successive heavy losses to Como and Bournemouth last month, club bosses decided to give Carrick and the squad "a further opportunity" to recover.

A "comprehensive review" led to the view that the three games against Chelsea, Roma and Aston Villa did not provide enough evidence that the team "was on the right path."

Carrick first took charge on an interim basis after Ruben Amorim was dismissed in January. He opened with a shock 2-0 win over Manchester City and then won 12 of his next 17 matches to finish the season.

That run took United to third place and back into the Champions League for the first time since 2023.

Those results won Carrick the permanent role, and he signed a two-year deal in May. The collapse since then has been stark.

United are trying to have an agreement with Mauricio Pochettino in place on Thursday before moving to activate the release clause in his U.S. Soccer contract.

The club has told U.S. Soccer it plans to trigger the $10 million (£7m) release clause once personal terms are settled with the 54-year-old. Chief executive Omar Berrada held positive talks with U.S. Soccer on Wednesday.

Pochettino's representatives first contacted United to flag the clause in his contract.

United would not stand in the way if Pochettino oversaw the United States' next two matches against Haiti on Saturday and Tuesday in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals. How the move is handled is expected to be settled between Pochettino and U.S. Soccer.

United anticipate Pochettino will be at Carrington no later than November 18, in time to prepare for his first match against Liverpool at Anfield on November 22. Most of the club's international players are also due back by then.