Man United turn to Pochettino after Carrick pays price for transfer difficulties and dramatic slump in form

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February 6, 2026 and Michael Carrick has been in charge of Manchester United for two weeks, with three wins from three games against Manchester City at home, Arsenal away and…

February 6, 2026 and Michael Carrick has been in charge of Manchester United for two weeks, with three wins from three games against Manchester City at home, Arsenal away and Fulham at home. The following day, United will play a Tottenham Hotspur side who, despite their own troubles, are eight unbeaten against Manchester United.

Carrick gathered his players at the Carrington training ground and gave an impassioned speech about the importance of the Munich air disaster for the history of the club.

On the anniversary of the disaster, he educated players who knew little about it, told them they were standing on the shoulders of the giants who had died. It made a big impact. United defeated Spurs for the first time in nine attempts the following day 2-0.

Carrick, who’d spent the previous months in the stands as a fan and watching games using his season ticket, turned things around quickly. The players found him to be an excellent communicator and, given the team were winning matches they were not expected to win, believed in him. Carrick praised them in public and private. He was calm and consistent; he protected his players and held an umbrella over them.

United were on par for a Europa League spot finish under his predecessor Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese had picked things up after a rough first six months, but two public outbursts against his bosses saw him lose his job following a January draw at Leeds United.

The team were 6th when he left and 7th when Carrick took charge a week later. He was told by director of football Jason Wilcox that the aim was a top-five finish and Champions League football.

It was a bold aim given United had not been in the top five all season, but Carrick got his side performing in an instant, winning six and drawing one of his first seven games. He gave them simple instructions and switched to a 4-2-3-1 system, using a mid/low block and attacking on transitions which was much more comfortable for the players.

United finished the season in third…

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