Michael Carrick sack: Man Utd intend to relieve boss of duties

Michael Carrick sack fears have grown at Manchester United. The club intend to relieve their head coach of his duties, according to David Ornstein of The Athletic.

United say no final decision has been made and that nothing is set in stone. But Ornstein reports that work has been done on possible replacements. Multiple sources expect a change before the trip to Liverpool.

Michael Carrick sack: what Ornstein reported

Ornstein posted the news on X at 21:59 UK time on Monday. The report was written with his Athletic colleagues Laurie Whitwell and Adam Crafton.

“Manchester United intend to relieve Michael Carrick of duties. #MUFC say no final decision & nothing set in stone but work undertaken on replacements + multiple sources anticipate change before Liverpool.”

David Ornstein on X

That is a big shift. Earlier on Monday, the picture was of a club taking its time. Sky Sports News had said United’s bosses would use the international break to review the season before making any call.

The club review

Fabrizio Romano also reported on Monday night that talks are going on behind the scenes. He said United “continue internal talks and review behind the scenes about all issues and reasons behind difficult situation”.

Romano added that the talks cover “several topics, including Michael Carrick position and January movements”. So the review is about more than just the head coach. Plans for the January transfer window are part of it too.

The Irish Times has reported that Jason Wilcox is leading the review. Most of the squad are away on international duty, which gives the club time to act before games resume.

The numbers behind the pressure

Sunday’s 4-4 draw with Aston Villa left United in the bottom three. Patrick Dorgu’s late header rescued a point, as our Man Utd 4-4 Aston Villa match report explains, but it did little to ease the mood.

Measure	Figure
League position	17th
Points from 10 league games	8
Wins in last 11 games (all competitions, per Sky Sports News)	1
Goals conceded in that run (per Sky Sports News)	30
Next league game	Liverpool away, 22 November

Sky also said this is United’s worst ever Premier League start. Carrick led the club to a third-placed finish and Champions League football last season, which makes the slide even more striking.

The Michael Carrick sack talk is also awkward because of his standing with supporters. He won 11 major trophies as a United player, including the Champions League and five Premier League titles. Sky reported that fans sang his name at full-time on Sunday.

Sky had also listed the dressing room as a reason for patience. The club felt Carrick and his staff still had the backing of the players, with the comebacks against Roma and Villa seen as proof. Ornstein’s report suggests that thinking has now changed.

What happens next

For now, Carrick remains in charge. United have not announced any change and have not named a successor.

Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann have both been named in reports as possible candidates if a vacancy appears. The Manchester Evening News has also reported that Unai Emery, Didier Deschamps and Fabian Hurzeler have turned down interest. None of those names has been confirmed by the club.

If Ornstein’s sources are right, the next two weeks will decide who leads United into the 22 November trip to Anfield. Follow every update in our Premier League news hub.