In its statement, the club called the decision "extremely difficult" and described Carrick as a "Manchester United legend" who brought the "highest standards of dedication and professionalism". It said "a change is necessary in order to achieve our ambitions". The dismissal was reportedly decided at a meeting in Monaco on Wednesday involving co-owner Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox. Carrick's contract is reported to have been a two-year deal, ended early with a severance package of about £3 million.

Carrick rejoined United in January, took over from Ruben Amorim and won 12 of the final 17 games of last season to finish third and qualify for the Champions League. This season went the other way. His last match was a 4-4 draw with Aston Villa, and last month Como beat United 4-1 in the Champions League. United had conceded 19 league goals, the third-worst defensive record in the division. Captain Bruno Fernandes was suspended during his tenure, and defender Lisandro Martinez publicly criticised the club's summer transfer window.

Mauricio Pochettino, 54, manager of the USA national team, is the leading candidate and the widely reported choice to replace him. Accounts differ on how far talks have gone. Several describe a verbal agreement in principle, while one says United are still negotiating. One report puts the contract at two and a half years, running to 2029. The same report says Pochettino would oversee the USA's upcoming matches before taking over in time for the Liverpool game. That would be followed by an away trip to Sporting and a home debut against Brentford. United have reportedly contacted the United States Soccer Federation about his release, and the figures given for the fee run from about £7 million to $10 million (£7.4 million). Pochettino has Premier League experience with Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea. Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann were among the other names considered.

If he is appointed, Pochettino would be United's fourth permanent head coach since INEOS and Ratcliffe took control of the club in February 2024. He interviewed for the job in the summer of 2024 and was reportedly ranked below Thomas Tuchel and Roberto De Zerbi. Carrick is the seventh permanent manager United have dismissed since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

The Manchester United Supporters' Trust blamed the Glazer family and Ratcliffe for a lack of accountability, and for a club that has not won a Premier League title since the Ferguson era. One report from inside the dressing room says players believe the club's problems go beyond who the manager is, and that Carrick was "hung out to dry".

Pochettino is reported to have limited flexibility over the transfer budget in January. Gary Neville, the former United captain, said he should "insist" on two defenders being signed immediately and on a guaranteed minimum budget for each of the next two summer windows. Neville named Noussair Mazraoui, Patrick Dorgu, Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven as the current defensive options. Paul Scholes, the former United midfielder, said on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast that the club is not getting Pochettino's best years. He added that Pochettino must take "full control" of recruitment, comparing the level of influence he needs to Ferguson's.