Manchester United sacked Michael Carrick this morning, with the club 18th in the Premier League on eight points from 10 games. They are finalising a deal for Mauricio Pochettino, who is expected to take charge of his first United game against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday 22 November. The appointment has not yet been announced.
Elsewhere, Rio Ngumoha came off the bench in England’s win over Croatia, Bradley Barcola hit the post as France lost in Milan, and James Milner will return to Anfield for the Legends match in March. Liverpool have issued no fresh first-team injury updates, and no significant new transfer developments have emerged from reliable sources.
United sack Carrick, Pochettino deal close
Manchester United confirmed this morning that Michael Carrick, 45, has left his role as head coach. The club said that “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”, and described him as “a Manchester United legend”.
Carrick was told of the decision this morning, and his main backroom staff have also left. BBC Sport names them as Steve Holland, Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans and Travis Binnion.
United have won one of their first 10 league games. Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim in January, led United to third place last season and signed a two-year contract in May.
Status: Confirmed by Manchester United.
Sky Sports News reported this afternoon that a full agreement in principle has been reached between United and Pochettino, 54, with talks between the club and US Soccer at the “paperwork and regulatory processes” stage. BBC Sport says a deal has been agreed for him and his staff and is being finalised.
United have told US Soccer they intend to activate the release clause in his contract, reported to be worth about $10m. Pochettino will stay in charge of the USA for their two Concacaf Nations League games against Haiti, the second of which ends in the early hours of Wednesday 18 November UK time. BBC Sport understands he will take his first training session at Carrington on 18 or 19 November.
Credibility: High for the agreement. United have not yet announced the appointment.
Pochettino’s record against Liverpool
Pochettino has faced Liverpool 19 times as a manager, with Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea. He has won three of those games, drawn five and lost 11. His last win against Liverpool was Tottenham’s 4-1 victory in October 2017, and the last meeting was the 2024 League Cup final, which Liverpool won 1-0 after extra time with a goal from Virgil van Dijk.
Reds on international duty
Rio Ngumoha came on for Anthony Gordon late in the second half as England beat Croatia 2-1 at Wembley to reach the Nations League quarter-finals.
Bradley Barcola and Jérémy Jacquet both started for France, who lost 3-1 to Italy at San Siro. Barcola hit the post in the first half. Víctor Muñoz was an unused substitute as Spain won 2-0 in Prague.
On Sunday, England play Spain in Madrid and France host Türkiye in Bordeaux, both at 7.45pm UK time. Before that, on Friday, Cody Gakpo’s Netherlands host Kostas Tsimikas’s Greece in Amsterdam, and Florian Wirtz’s Germany visit Serbia, both also at 7.45pm UK time.
Injury picture
There has been no new injury update from the club today.
Dominik Szoboszlai (knee sprain) remains with Hungary, whose federation has said a decision on whether he plays in Georgia on Saturday (5pm UK time) will almost certainly not be made until the last minute.
Virgil van Dijk has withdrawn from the Netherlands squad, and Ryan Gravenberch was left out injured. At the club’s last squad update, on Friday 6 November, Jeremie Frimpong was ruled out with a muscle injury, while Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitiké and Giovanni Leoni were listed as long-term absentees.
Milner to return to Anfield
James Milner will play for the LFC Legends against Inter Legends at Anfield on Saturday 27 March at 3pm, the club has confirmed. He is the first player named for the annual charity match, which raises money for the LFC Foundation.
Milner said: “I’m thrilled to have the chance to pull on the red shirt again and step back out at Anfield. It’s a special place, and playing there in front of the supporters is a feeling like no other.”
Frimpong nominated for FIFPRO award
Jeremie Frimpong has been nominated for FIFPRO’s Player Voice Award, one of its 2026 Merit Awards, for his Pathways initiative, which supports young players released by academies. The winner will be announced on Thursday 19 November.
Fixtures (UK times)
Sun 22 Nov: Manchester United (h) Premier League 4.30pm (Sky Sports)
Wed 25 Nov: Club Brugge (a) Champions League 8pm (TNT Sports)
Sun 29 Nov: Everton (a) Premier League 12pm (TNT Sports)
