Manchester United have sacked manager Michael Carrick after their worst-ever start to a Premier League season, with United States boss Mauricio Pochettino expected to succeed him.
Carrick, a former Manchester United midfielder, guided the club to an impressive third-place finish last season. However, United have collected only eight points from their opening 10 league matches this campaign and are currently in the relegation zone.
The club confirmed Carrick’s departure in a statement, saying: “Manchester United can confirm that Michael Carrick has departed his role as men’s first-team head coach.”
It added: “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.”
Carrick’s last match was Sunday’s turbulent 4-4 draw against Aston Villa. After that game, he said he had no intention of walking away and was preparing for the international break as normal.
However, United’s hierarchy opted to make a change in an attempt to rescue the season. The club have won only three matches in all competitions so far.
Pochettino, who has previously managed Tottenham, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, would face a major challenge if appointed. Manchester United have struggled to return to their previous level since Alex Ferguson left the club 13 years ago.
Once the leading force in English football, United have since been surpassed by Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal.
The team’s next fixture is a difficult meeting with fierce rivals Liverpool at Anfield on 22 November.
