Manchester United have sacked Michael Carrick after an awful start to the 2026/27 season, with the club sitting in the relegation zone during the November international break.
Carrick conducted himself with class even as his time in charge came to an end. Last month, he defended Leny Yoro after a mistake against Bournemouth and responded diplomatically when asked whether the board should take responsibility for the team's failings.
United fans have been desperate for Carrick to criticise Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada, but he has not engaged in a public dispute because of his deep respect for the club. A high-ranking United figure admitted they had been struck by how Carrick handled his post-Bournemouth press conference, which many expected to be his last, but he was given three games to turn things around before being dismissed.
Fan anger and Carrick's conduct
Some have accused Carrick of being a 'company man', but his loyalty lies with Manchester United rather than the Ineos leadership. He spent 12 years at the club as a player.
Fan anger has been directed at the owners. During the Bournemouth game, chants from the Stretford End included "Build a bonfire, put the Glazers on the top, put Ratcliffe in the middle and burn the f*****g lot," followed by "Jason Wilcox is a w*****."
In that same match, Carrick saluted the Stretford End and tapped his chest at full-time. United fans sang his name, but boos rang out for the players as he left the pitch.
Transfer window and season struggles
United spent £150million in the summer, a sum surpassed by all their Premier League rivals. The opportunity to build from a position of strength after Carrick's successful interim stint was wasted. Carlos Baleba was signed, but a striker and left-back were still needed.
The season started badly with a loss to Hull on the opening day, where United fell two goals behind from set pieces and could not respond. Carrick bristled at suggestions his team struggled against sides playing a back five, saying, "We haven't lost many games in six or seven months."
United won 5-2 against Ipswich in their next game, though that contest was 1-1 at half-time. Carrick remained calm when his team failed to see out a win against Everton and saw the Sabah victory as a chance to kick on. He pointed to "fine margins" after Everton's late equaliser and a controversial loss to Manchester City, but the performance against Brighton in the Carabao Cup exposed deeper problems.
Style change and final days
Carrick fell into the same trap as Erik ten Hag, trying to make the team more possession-based after a successful first season, but the change backfired. The 45-year-old wanted his midfield to control games, but the team looked lethargic and concerning running statistics emerged.
After a poor performance against Fulham, Carrick played down United being bottom of key Premier League running stats, but he changed his stance after a defeat to Como in the Champions League, saying the team would not win games if they don't run "forward and back".
Bruno Fernandes questioned Carrick's tactics after the Como defeat, and Carrick later spoke passionately about the club's history at a press conference at Carrington. At that same press conference, he refused to blame the club's failure to strengthen the squad.
"I think there's a lot of elements, different elements, some smaller than others of why we've ended up not winning as many games. So, I'm pretty clear about that," he said. When asked if the board had conceded he should have received more support in the window, he responded: "It's not about receiving more support, it's about doing what's right on the football pitch to get results, and we haven't done enough of that lately."
Exit and legacy
It emerged on Monday that United were expected to sack Carrick, but he was left to take training on Tuesday and Wednesday while Mauricio Pochettino's representatives were contacted. United delayed the announcement, allowing a media circus to play out as Carrick oversaw training.
Carrick leaves with his head held high and his legend status intact. While he was not good enough this season, he was let down from the minute he was hired permanently. Berrada last gave an interview five months ago via the club's media channel, and Wilcox has stayed out of the spotlight.
Carrick recently said: "It's not about me, Manchester United is bigger than an individual." And he meant it.
