Carrick sacked by Manchester United with team in Premier League relegation zone – live

Michael Carrick has been dismissed by Manchester United with the team in the Premier League's relegation zone. His departure follows a 4-4 draw with Aston Villa at Old Trafford last Sunday that left United third-bottom in the table, a point behind 17th-placed Coventry. The club also sits 17th in the Champions League league phase table.

Club Statement

Manchester United confirmed Carrick's departure in a statement published on their official website.

The statement read: '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.'

The club added that they 'intend to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible.'

Successor Lined Up

Manchester United have lined up Mauricio Pochettino to take over as head coach. The Argentinian has a framework agreement to join a club that has just one win from their past 11 matches. Pochettino, who has managed in the Premier League with Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea, has a release clause of about $10m (£7.5m), though United will have to pay more to take his staff.

Fan Reaction

The sacking has prompted mixed reactions from fans. One supporter emailed: 'As a United fan who was around for the early 90s and the many successes that followed, seeing Carrick go is a sad end to a horrible situation. He was the only likeable thing about a club and set of players who I find it harder to support as I get older.'

The fan continued: 'The fans - and I mean the locals, the ones who go to games, who can remember the days before Ronaldo - we deserve better... better owners, better attitudes, better standards. Nothing will change with the setup of the club today and we are in this macabre holding pattern of failure, hope, anger and disappointment.'

Context

Carrick's dismissal follows a review led by director of football Jason Wilcox and a recommendation to Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who controls sporting policy at the club. Despite the poor start to this season, Carrick had overseen a dramatic recovery to defeat Roma in the Champions League five days before the Aston Villa match.

His departure comes as United faces mounting pressure to turn around their fortunes on the pitch, with the club's hierarchy clearly deciding that a change in leadership is necessary to achieve their ambitions.