Manchester United have fired Michael Carrick and are closing in on a deal to replace him with US men's national team coach Mauricio Pochettino. United were hopeful of announcing Pochettino's appointment before he takes charge of the US in upcoming games against Haiti on Saturday and Tuesday.
Carrick's exit follows United's worst start to a Premier League season, which has left the club in the relegation zone after 10 games. A 4-4 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday left United 18th in the 20-team standings after just one league win all season, with eight points from 10 games marking the club's worst start in 40 years.
Carrick had been appointed on a short-term deal midway through last season and guided the team to a third-place finish and Champions League qualification, which earned him a long-term, two-year contract less than six months ago. Since then, United have managed just three wins in all competitions, an eight-game winless run in the league, and elimination from the League Cup.
Captain Bruno Fernandes and defender Lisandro Martinez have added to the sense of crisis, with criticism of tactics and the club's leadership respectively.
In a statement, Manchester United said: "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."
Pochettino, 54, previously managed Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, and had been a leading candidate for the United job in 2022 before Erik ten Hag was hired. He took over the US national team in 2024, leading them past the Socceroos and into the round of 16 at last year's home World Cup, and recently signed a four-year contract extension through the 2030 World Cup. His potential departure for United would be a major blow to American soccer.
Should Pochettino arrive at Old Trafford, he would become United's eighth permanent manager since Alex Ferguson's retirement 13 years ago, a period in which the club has been overtaken by Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea. The sacking has also intensified scrutiny of United's ownership, the Glazer family and British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe through his INEOS group, with supporters staging fresh protests during the Villa game calling for the owners to sell the club.
Crystal Palace Sack Pierre Sage
Crystal Palace have fired manager Pierre Sage, ending the Frenchman's five-month tenure after a poor start to the Premier League season left them bottom of the table. Sage's departure on Thursday followed a 3-1 home defeat to Liverpool, the club's fourth straight Premier League loss.
Crystal Palace said in a statement: "Crystal Palace Football Club can confirm that Pierre Sage has left his role as manager. Three members of Pierre's coaching staff - Jamal Alioui, Damien Della Santa and Sandy Guichard - have also left the club."
Sage, 47, who previously managed Ligue 1 sides RC Lens and Olympique Lyonnais, took charge at Selhurst Park in June, replacing Oliver Glasner. Glasner had left at the end of the 2025-26 season after leading Palace to a Conference League triumph.
Palace won only two Premier League matches under Sage, with a string of defeats including a 5-0 loss to rivals Brighton & Hove Albion leaving them with seven points from 10 games. They also have the worst defensive record in the top flight, having conceded 24 goals.
Reports say former Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford manager Thomas Frank is the leading candidate to replace Sage.
