Maguire salutes 'legend' Carrick after Manchester United sack head coach

Manchester United sacked head coach Michael Carrick on Thursday morning after a dismal Premier League start that has left the club 18th in the table with just eight points from their opening 10 matches — the worst domestic beginning in 40 years.

Carrick, 45, was handed a two-year contract in the summer but the Old Trafford board moved swiftly to end his tenure as results failed to improve. The dismissal continues a pattern of ruthless managerial decisions at the club in recent seasons.

Among the first players to respond publicly was club captain Harry Maguire, who posted a photograph of himself alongside Carrick on Instagram. The centre-back’s message was brief but pointed: “Will always be a legend. Respect. Thank you.”

Maguire was not alone in offering support, with a number of first-team players sharing tributes to the outgoing coach on social media in the hours following the announcement.

United’s position at the foot of the Premier League table underlines the scale of the challenge facing whoever is appointed next. The club have collected only eight points from a possible 30, a return that placed mounting pressure on Carrick even before the season reached its midpoint.