Manchester United fans, how many more managers must pass through Old Trafford before somebody finally admits that the problem might be bigger than the man standing in the technical area? Michael Carrick has officially joined the Manchester United managerial exit queue, following his dismissal on Thursday, November 12, 2026.
And the irony? This is the same Carrick who arrived in January, picked up the pieces of a struggling United side, restored some pride and secured Champions League football.Fast-forward 11 months, and the man who was once being celebrated by the Stretford End is now looking for another job.Football can humble you very quickly!
From 12 wins to a sack letter: What happened?
Carrick’s first assignment was almost a fairytale. After replacing Ruben Amorim in January 2026, he won 12 of his 17 Premier League matches, helping United finish third and return to the Champions League. His record earned him a nomination for Premier League Manager of the Season and, eventually, a new two-year contract in May 2026. But this season, the wheels came off.
Here is the uncomfortable mathematics behind his dismissal;
12/17
League wins last season
3rd
2025/26 final position
1/10
League wins this season
8
Points from 10 league games
3/15
Wins in all competitions this season
18th
Premier League position at dismissal
The final straw was Sunday’s 4-4 draw against Aston Villa. United went 2-0 down inside four minutes, fought back, fell behind 4-2 and eventually rescued a point. It was entertaining football, but defending at Old Trafford had apparently become an optional activity.
Before that, there was a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth, a 2-0 loss to Chelsea and a humiliating 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como. Even a dramatic 3-2 Champions League comeback against Roma could not save him. The numbers were simply too ugly for a club that talks about winning trophies.
How many managers have Manchester United sacked since Ferguson?
Since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, Carrick becomes the seventh permanent manager/head coach dismissed by Manchester United.
| Manager | Departure |
| David Moyes | April 2014 |
| Louis van Gaal | May 2016 |
| José Mourinho | December 2018 |
| Ole Gunnar Solskjær | November 2021 |
| Erik ten Hag | October 2024 |
| Ruben Amorim | January 2026 |
| Michael Carrick | November 2026 |
This excludes temporary appointments such as Ryan Giggs, Ralf Rangnick, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Darren Fletcher.
And with a new appointment expected, United are heading towards their eighth permanent head coach since Ferguson.
Thirteen years. Seven dismissals. And still searching for the right formula.
Who takes over now?
1. Mauricio Pochettino
Leading candidate The former Tottenham, Chelsea and PSG manager is the man strongly lined up for the job. Reports say he has verbally agreed to take over, with a reported £7m release clause in his USA contract.
2. Eddie Howe
The former Newcastle manager is another name in the conversation. He delivered the League Cup to Newcastle in 2025 and has Champions League experience.
3. Julian Nagelsmann
A highly rated tactician who has managed Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig. He brings an impressive coaching CV, although he lacks Premier League experience.
4. Antonio Conte
A serial winner who has lifted the Premier League with Chelsea and won league titles in Italy. But his fiery personality and demanding methods make this an interesting possibility.
Pochettino is comfortably ahead of the others in the current reports. Gary Neville believes United’s problems go beyond the man in the dugout. He has repeatedly questioned the club’s recruitment, football leadership and overall structure.
Think about it: Mourinho won trophies, Van Gaal won the FA Cup, Ten Hag won two domestic cups, and Carrick delivered Champions League football.
Yet the same cycle continues.
New manager. New promises. New optimism. A few good results. Then the inevitable collapse.
