Eight moments that took Michael Carrick from hero to sacked at Man Utd

Manchester United sacked Michael Carrick on Thursday, less than six months after making him permanent manager. He is the third United boss to go in three seasons, and Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly lined up to replace him. So how did a third-place finish and a Champions League return turn so sour so fast? Here are eight moments.

1. The midweek warning signs

Carrick dropped points in only two of his first nine games in charge, a 1-1 draw with West Ham and a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle. Both were midweek matches with little time to prepare. This season, European football meant plenty more of those.

2. A summer of gambles

United did not sign a striker, even though Benjamin Sesko was injured and Joshua Zirkzee was the only other option. They also had no back-up left-back for the injury-prone Luke Shaw. A late loan bid for Rayan Ait-Nouri collapsed when Manchester City wanted an obligation to buy. Fifteen games in, Shaw has missed ten, and Sesko will not start a league game until January at the earliest.

3. Defeat at newly promoted Hull

The season opened with a loss at Hull, who were back in the Premier League. The result was bad, but the flat, lifeless performance worried people more.

4. Throwing away a 2-0 lead to Brighton

Goals from Shea Lacey and Mason Mount put United 2-0 up inside ten minutes in the Carabao Cup (England's League Cup). Brighton came back and won at Old Trafford. It was another record-breaking night for the wrong reasons.

5. Martinez goes public

After a defeat at Atletico Madrid, Lisandro Martinez publicly criticised Jason Wilcox. He reportedly meant to defend Carrick, but it showed everyone the dressing room was unhappy.

6. Back-to-back three-goal defeats

United lost by three goals to both Como and Bournemouth. Carrick survived, but with the club's backing seen as shaky, he looked like a man on borrowed time.

7. Bruno Fernandes speaks out

After the Como loss, Fernandes said it was the staff's decision not to press man-to-man. Carrick hit back: "Whatever tactics you play, if you don't run back, you ain't going to win." Fernandes was then dropped for the Bournemouth game.

8. Fightbacks that masked deeper problems

United came from behind against Roma and Aston Villa, but only because of poor defending earlier in those games. A 2-0 loss to Chelsea followed, and last weekend's 4-4 home draw with Villa added to the pressure. Days of uncertainty ended with the sacking.

From 'Project 150' whispers in May to a relegation-zone scramble in November, it has been a wild ride for United fans.