Man United fires coach Carrick after worst start to a Premier League season

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Michael Carrick was fired by Manchester United on Thursday after overseeing the 20-time English champion’s worst start to a Premier League season, with U.S. men’s coach Mauricio Pochettino a potential candidate to succeed him.

Carrick’s departure comes less than six months after he was given a two-year contract and the responsibility of reviving the fortunes of the once-dominant force of English soccer. United hasn’t won the league since managerial great Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

A 4-4 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday left United 18th in the 20-team standings and in the relegation zone after just one league win all season. With eight points from 10 games, it is United’s worst start for 40 years — predating the Premier League era.

“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,” United said.

United added the “club intends to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible.”

United has been working on a potential deal to have Pochettino replace Carrick, a source with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The 54-year-old Argentine is under contract with the U.S. team through the 2030 World Cup.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because no final decision had been made on Carrick’s future.

Pochettino, who has previously coached Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea in the Premier League, took over the U.S. in October 2024 and led it to the round of 16 at this year’s World Cup.

He was a leading candidate for United in 2022 when Erik ten Hag was ultimately hired.

Asked on Thursday whether Pochettino was in line to join United, United States striker Folarin Balogun said he wasn’t aware.

“If it’s something that becomes official, then he will let us know,” Balogun said on a video call from the U.S. camp ahead of the team’s double-header against Haiti.

“If I had a vote,” Balogun added, in reference to Pochettino’s future, “I would like to keep things the way they are.”

United seeking eighth permanent manag

er since Ferguson

Firing Carrick comes after he insisted he would not walk away from the job following the chaotic draw with Villa that highlighted United’s defensive flaws.

It means United is on the hunt for an eighth permanent manager since Ferguson’s departure 13 years ago, a turbulent period in which the club has been overtaken by Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea.

Carrick, a former United midfielder in its glory days under Ferguson, was appointed on a short-term deal midway through last season and guided the team to a third-place finish and Champions League qualification.

That earned him a long-term contract but things have unraveled quickly this season, with just three wins in all competitions, an eight-game winless run in the league and elimination from the English League Cup.

Top players Bruno Fernandes, the team captain, and Lisandro Martinez have also added to the sense of crisis with criticism of tactics and the club’s leadership, respectively.

“Michael is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend,” United said. “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 took training on Wednesday and was seen arriving at United’s training ground on Thursday, before leaving soon after.

Scrutiny on United owners

The firing of another manager will increase scrutiny on United’s ownership — the Glazer family in the United States and British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, through his INEOS petrochemicals group.

Fans staged their latest protests against the owners during the Villa game, calling on them to sell the club.

“It is time for the owners to explain themselves and show some accountability,” the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust said in a statement.

There is also increasing pressure on chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox after another failed coaching appointment.

Since Ferguson, Champions League-winning coaches Louis van Gaal and José Mourinho have won cups at United but were ousted after failing to mount serious title challenges in the Premier League.

In recent years, highly rated and emerging coaches like Ten Hag and Ruben Amorim also failed to meet the club’s expectations, while former players in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Carrick have also come up short.

“The reason Manchester United fans have continued to support Michael Carrick in recent weeks is that they know that responsibility for United’s problems do not primarily rest with him or indeed his predecessors as manager. They lie with the ownership,” the supporters’ trust said.

“The Glazers’ debt-funded takeover continues to burden the club. When INEOS came in they promised sporting excellence, but yet with repeated changes in football leadership we have seen anything but.”

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AP Sports Writer Steve Douglas contributed to this story.

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