Manchester United have sacked head coach Michael Carrick, the club have confirmed.
United are close to an agreement with Mauricio Pochettino and have made contact with the U.S. Soccer Federation as they push forward with plans to hire the former Argentina defender as Carrick's successor, sources have told ESPN.
Carrick met executives Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox at Carrington on Thursday following a meeting between Berrada, Wilcox and minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco on Wednesday.
Carrick leaves Old Trafford with United in the Premier League's relegation zone after just one league win all season.
A club statement said: "Manchester United can confirm that Michael Carrick has departed his role as men's first-team head coach.
"Michael rejoined the club in January and guided the team to a third-placed Premier League finish by winning 12 out of the remaining 17 games of the 2025-26 season, accumulating the highest points tally in the league during that period.
"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.
"Michael is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend. Just as he did as a player, he has conducted himself with the highest standards of dedication and professionalism throughout his time back with the club. His leadership and achievements last season will always be fondly remembered.
"The club intends to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible."
The 45-year-old has overseen a dismal start to the new campaign with three wins from 15 games in all competitions. His final match in charge was the chaotic 4-4 draw with Aston Villa during which Unai Emery's side twice led by two goals.
Carrick was initially handed the job on an interim basis following Ruben Amorim's dismissal in January. He masterminded a surprise 2-0 victory over Manchester City in his first game in charge and went on to win 12 of 17 matches to end the season.
It was enough to finish third in the Premier League and secure a return to the Champions League for the first time since 2023.
United's form earned Carrick the job on a permanent basis and he signed a two-year contract in May. But the speed of the downturn since Carrick took the job full-time has been startling.
There was a shock 2-0 defeat to newly-promoted Hull City on the opening weekend of the season and a 3-2 Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton after leading 2-0.
A heavy 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League in October was followed by a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth four days later.
Carrick's departure means United have now fired managers midway through each of the last three seasons. Erik ten Hag was sacked in October 2024 and Amorim was dismissed just 14 months later in January 2026.
Pochettino is in pole position to be United's next manager. His release clause from U.S. Soccer is $10 million (£7.5m) and his staff, including assistant Jesus Perez, could cost another $2m.
Former Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea boss Pochettino will oversee the United States' next two games, against Haiti, on Nov. 14 and Nov. 17 in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals, sources told ESPN. United's next fixture is against Liverpool at Anfield on Nov. 22.