Manchester United have sacked manager Michael Carrick. The former midfielder has lost his job despite United battling back to earn a dramatic 4-4 draw at home to Aston Villa on Sunday (November 8) and is now expected to be replaced by Mauricio Pochettino.
Pressure Mounts After Poor Run
Carrick was already under huge pressure after his struggling side lost six and drew three of their previous 10 matches. Last Tuesday (November 3), a 3-2 Champions League win at home to Roma, who had taken a two-goal lead, had eased some of that pressure on the 45-year-old.
But despite another stirring fightback against Villa, who were 2-0 up inside four minutes and then 4-2 ahead by the 53rd minute after being pegged back by half-time, the Red Devils now find themselves winless in eight Premier League games and in the relegation places.
That equates to their worst start to a domestic campaign in 40 years - and Carrick has paid the price with his job.
Carrick's Tenure at Old Trafford
After leading the club to a third-placed finish last season after being appointed as head coach on a short-term basis in January, beating Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea along the way, the ex-England international's position was made permanent in May.
But the current campaign has gone badly and he departs with United sitting a lowly 18th in the Premier League table, just one point above basement boys Crystal Palace, who were beaten 3-1 by Liverpool at Selhurst Park in the hours before the eight-goal thriller with Villa.
Carrick leaves Old Trafford after 32 matches in charge since January. He won 15 of them, drawing eight and losing nine. Including caretaker and interim appointments, he was the 11th different manager to take over the Red Devils hotseat following the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in May 2013.
During that same period, their great rivals, Liverpool, have had just four different bosses - Brendan Rodgers, Jurgen Klopp, Arne Slot and the current incumbent, Andoni Iraola.
Pochettino Expected to Take Over
The Red Devils, who have won only once in the Premier League all season, now look set to appoint former Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea boss Pochettino.
The 54-year-old is currently in charge of the US national team but is reported to have a £7.4m buyout clause in his contract. Liverpool welcome United to Anfield in a blockbuster first game back after the international break on Sunday, November 22.
