Manchester, UK - November 12: Manchester United has officially announced the termination of head coach Michael Carrick's contract following a disappointing start to the 2026-27 season. This decision comes less than six months after he was awarded a two-year deal.

The club released a statement on Wednesday, highlighting the necessity for change due to a series of poor results that have left them in the relegation zone of the Premier League.

"Manchester United can confirm that Michael Carrick has left his position as head coach of the men's first team," the statement read.

"After a disappointing start to the season, the club has reached the difficult conclusion that a change is essential to meet our ambitions," it continued.

The club also expressed gratitude for Carrick's contributions during his previous tenure, commending his leadership, dedication, and professionalism.

"Michael is, and will always be, a Manchester United legend. He has maintained the highest standards of dedication and professionalism throughout his time with the club. His leadership and achievements last season will always be cherished," the statement noted.

United aims to appoint a permanent successor promptly.

Carrick's exit follows one of the worst starts to a league season in the club's history, with only one victory in their first ten Premier League matches, placing them 18th in the standings.

The team is currently on an eight-match winless streak in the league, matching their longest such run in the Premier League era. Overall, they have secured just three wins in 15 matches across all competitions this season, alongside five draws and seven losses.

In stark contrast to Carrick's initial spell, where he took charge in January 2026 and led the team to an impressive turnaround, winning 12 out of 17 matches, the current campaign has been challenging. His previous success helped United finish third in the Premier League and qualify for the UEFA Champions League, earning him a permanent role with a contract until 2028.

However, this season has seen a decline in performance, particularly defensively, with the team conceding an average of two goals per game compared to 1.1 during his first tenure. Their clean-sheet percentage has plummeted from 35% to a mere 7%.

The latest setback was a thrilling 4-4 draw against Aston Villa, where United fell behind early and struggled to recover, ultimately salvaging a point but failing to relieve the pressure on Carrick.

Speculation regarding his successor has intensified, with former Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino emerging as a top candidate for the role, according to reports. Pochettino, currently managing the United States national team, has been previously linked to the Manchester United position, although no official appointment has been confirmed.

United is now embarking on another search for a long-term manager, marking their eighth permanent managerial change since the departure of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.

For Carrick, this dismissal concludes a tenure that began with significant promise following a successful second half of the previous season.