- Michael Carrick is set to remain in charge of Manchester United for Sunday’s Premier League game against Bournemouth.
- Senior figures at Old Trafford are concerned about performances and results after the 4-1 Champions League defeat by Como.
- United have begun identifying possible replacements, with Eddie Howe, Antonio Conte and Julian Nagelsmann understood to be interested.
Carrick Carries On, but the Concern Is Growing
Michael Carrick is set to remain in charge of Manchester United for Sunday’s Premier League match against Bournemouth, but senior figures at the club are worried about performances and results, according to BBC Sport.
Carrick is said to be carrying on as normal and has not been made aware of any imminent change following the humiliating 4-1 defeat by Italian side Como on Wednesday. The players were given Thursday off and will be back at Carrington on Friday, when Carrick holds his news conference to preview the Bournemouth match at 13:30 BST.
What the Club Sources Are Saying
Some people at Old Trafford believe the squad should be doing much better. One source told BBC Sport: “We need to work hard to get through it.” Another accepted that the level of current injuries “doesn’t help, but no excuse” and said effort levels were “concerning”.
“We have a Champions League squad and need to be playing at that level,” the source said.
Some in the United hierarchy hold the view that changing managers so regularly in recent years has failed to arrest the club’s decline, and that Carrick has been let down by players who are underperforming. There is also an appreciation in some quarters of the progress he and his squad made last season, and a view that he should be given more time to turn things around.
The Search for a Successor Has Started
Club sources say Carrick will stay in charge for Sunday, yet United have already begun the process of identifying possible replacements. Eddie Howe, Antonio Conte and Julian Nagelsmann are understood to have their eyes on the Old Trafford job.
Howe is available and would be considered, with sources indicating the former Newcastle boss is open to returning to management with United after leaving St James’ Park in the close season. Conte, a former Chelsea boss, and Nagelsmann, the ex-Germany manager, are also out of work and interested.
Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery and Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler are rated highly by those in the corridors of power at United. Extracting them from their respective clubs would be difficult.
A Familiar Pattern at United
For the third year in a row, United have publicly and financially backed a manager in the summer, and positive results have not followed. Ruben Amorim lasted until January, and Darren Fletcher took over as interim manager for two games after his dismissal. Jonny Evans and Travis Binnion, who helped Fletcher, stayed with the senior set-up as part of Carrick’s team.
Carrick was appointed on a permanent basis at the end of last season after winning 12 of 17 games in interim charge and guiding the club back into the Champions League. This season United have won two of their 11 games, and none of the last seven, which is their worst run in a decade. They have kept just one clean sheet all season.
Mixed into the negativity were explosive post-match comments from defender Lisandro Martinez, who attacked the recruitment, and captain Bruno Fernandes, who attacked Carrick and his tactics. Tight timing before the Bournemouth game makes an immediate change difficult, so Sunday will show whether Carrick gets another chance to turn it around.