Carrick sacked by Man U, Sage out as Palace manager

Manchester United have dismissed manager Michael Carrick, the club said on Thursday, after a prolonged winless Premier League run culminated in a 4-4 draw at home to Aston Villa last weekend, leaving the team mired in the relegation zone. United have won only three of their 15 matches in all competitions under Carrick this season – including one league victory – leaving them 18th in the table on eight points after 10 games, one point from the bottom. "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," United said in a statement on their website. Carrick came under mounting pressure after a 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth and the former United midfielder carried the air of someone awaiting the inevitable after the defeat when fans chanted his name but booed the players off the pitch. He had dropped captain Bruno Fernandes to the bench against Bournemouth and did not bring him on even when United were desperate for inspiration in midfield, but the struggling club gave Carrick another chance to revive their season. Although he restored the playmaker to the starting lineup against Chelsea following clear-the-air talks...