The revolving door keeps turning at Manchester United.
After weeks of intense speculation, the Red Devils officially parted ways with head coach Michael Carrick on Thursday.
"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," Man United said in a statement confirming Carrick's departure.
"The club intends to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible."
United are reportedly finalizing a deal to hire Mauricio Pochettino, the current head coach of the United States men's national team, as Carrick's replacement.
The former Tottenham and Chelsea tactician, who reportedly has a $10-million release clause in his U.S. contract, could be in place ahead of United's first match coming out of the international break on Nov. 22, when they travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool.
Manchester United went into the break 18th in the Premier League table and in the relegation zone with just one win from 10 league games. With only eight points from those 10 matches, they're enduring their worst start to a campaign in 40 years.
The Red Devils staged two dramatic late rallies in their last two matches. They beat Roma in the final moments after being down 2-0 during their Champions League meeting last week and then stormed back with two goals in stoppage time for a chaotic 4-4 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday at Old Trafford.
Those recoveries weren't enough to save Carrick's job, however.
Despite their recent comebacks suggesting the players were still willing to fight for the manager, the overall body of work this season still made for grim reading.
Man United have just one win in their last 11 matches across all competitions, and the stalemate against Villa once again exposed the team's defensive frailties; United have conceded 15 goals in their last five outings.
Carrick, who oversaw United's training sessions Tuesday and Wednesday before being informed of his firing, was named the Red Devils' full-time boss in May after a strong spell as interim coach last season in which he guided the club to a third-place Premier League finish. However, the former Manchester United midfielder hasn't been able to replicate that success this term.
"Michael is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend," the club's statement said. "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."
In addition to the team's struggles on the pitch, Carrick was openly questioned by his captain as the mood around the club continued to sour in recent weeks.
Bruno Fernandes called out United's passive tactics out of possession following their humbling 4-1 Champions League loss to Como in October, which prompted Carrick to omit the Portuguese playmaker from the starting lineup for their next contest against Bournemouth.
Carrick called the move a "pure football" decision prior to the match. However, it was the first time Carrick had named a Premier League starting lineup that didn't include Fernandes, according to Opta.
Fernandes then returned to the starting lineup for United's next match against Chelsea but made little impact in another disappointing defeat.
"Whatever system you play, whatever tactics you play, if you don't run and you don't run forward, and you don't run back, you ain't going to win," the bench boss previously said in response to the midfielder's criticism.
Lisandro Martinez, another player who has publicly criticized the club's recruitment policy and leadership amid the slump, was sent off after receiving two yellow cards - and conceding a penalty - against Chelsea. He was removed from the starting lineup for the meeting with Roma.
The fallen Premier League giants will soon have yet another new face on the touchline.
Since Sir Alex Ferguson brought down the curtain on his iconic 26-year reign in 2013, Manchester United have cycled through seven different permanent managers, with several others serving in interim or caretaker roles during a frustrating period of upheaval and dysfunction at Old Trafford.
Fans in the Stretford End showed their support for Carrick during United's loss to Bournemouth, directing their anger toward the Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe with a series of anti-ownership chants. They staged similar protests last week, even throwing objects onto the pitch.
