Michael Carrick insists he will do what is best for Manchester United when asked whether he would strip Bruno Fernandes of the captaincy against Bournemouth.
Carrick is in serious danger of losing his job at Old Trafford after United’s disastrous start to the new season.
The Red Devils have won just two of their 11 matches in all competitions and currently sit 13th in the Premier League table.
Their latest result was a painful 4-1 defeat at Como in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Fernandes criticised Carrick’s tactics for the match, and there have subsequently been calls for the head coach to strip him of the captain’s armband.
Asked whether the Portuguese would be punished, Carrick said: “The most important thing for me is the team and the dynamics in the squad. It is about the football club.
“Whatever the situation is I will do what is best for the football club.”
“If I have spoken to him or I haven’t spoken to him, I don’t think this is the time to go into too much detail.”
Carrick will be in charge for Sunday’s match, but his stay beyond that looks unlikely.
United have begun identifying possible replacements for the 45-year-old.
Eddie Howe is said to be in pole position to become the new Man United manager.
Howe is Jason Wilcox’s preferred candidate due to his Premier League experience.
Antonio Conte and Fabian Hurzeler have also been linked but neither of them are likely to get the job.
Conte’s confrontational style could put United off, and Hurzeler is committed to Brighton & Hove Albion.