Carrick dismissed by United after Fernandes and Martinez rift

Manchester United confirmed on Thursday that they had sacked head coach Michael Carrick, ending a turbulent spell that collapsed amid dressing-room tension and the club's worst start to a Premier League season.

The decision came after United slipped to 18th place following 10 games, with only one win all season, against newly promoted Ipswich Town.

Carrick arrived at the club's Carrington training base just before 8am on Thursday and left within two-and-a-half hours, having continued to lead training sessions earlier in the week even as a change in the dugout appeared increasingly likely.

United said in a statement: "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."

The club added: "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."

United said they intended to appoint a permanent successor "as quickly as possible".

Carrick's authority had visibly eroded in recent weeks. According to Yahoo Sports, he dropped captain Bruno Fernandes after the midfielder criticised his tactics following a 4-1 defeat at Champions League debutants Como, while defender Lisandro Martinez had separately spoken out against the club's hierarchy over a perceived lack of top-quality recruitment.

His final match in charge was a 4-4 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday, after which he said he had no intention of walking away.

United instead opted to act, with just three wins from 15 matches in all competitions prompting the hierarchy to intervene in the hope of rescuing the season.

Behind the scenes, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox sought approval from minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to part ways with Carrick, Metro Football reported, with a deal already in place for his successor.

Carrick had taken over as interim boss after Ruben Amorim's acrimonious exit in January and steered United to Champions League qualification and an eventual third-place finish last season, earning a two-year permanent contract as reward.

This season's decline was compounded by underwhelming recruitment in the summer transfer window, leaving Carrick with a squad unable to arrest the slide from European qualification to the bottom of the table.

Sky Sports Football reported that Mauricio Pochettino, currently in charge of the USA national team, is set to be appointed as Carrick's replacement, with United hoping to confirm the move imminently.

United had previously resisted making a change during the September and October international breaks, when Julian Nagelsmann and Eddie Howe were considered the leading candidates for the role.

United are next in action against Liverpool on Sunday 22 November, once the current international break concludes, by which point the club hopes to have a new head coach in position.