Michael Carrick arrived Manchester United’s training ground this morning with his future at the club still in doubt.
Carrick was pictured entering the facility at around 7.15am and is expected to hold a training session with players not on international duty.
As he does so, talks continue in the background with United chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox set to speak to the club’s minority owner Jim Ratcliffe on Wednesday about Carrick’s future in Monaco.
The club reported last night that the former England midfielder was on the verge, but no firm decision had been made. That is expected to come in the coming days from Ratcliffe, whose INEOS Group oversees football operations at Old Trafford.
Some reports suggest Carrick will be sacked on Thursday, while others believe the board could look to keep him and improve the coaching staff around him.
Ratcliffe is believed to be alarmed by the club’s current position 18th in the Premier League table with Carrick presiding over the club’s worst start to a season since 1986. They have won just one league game all season, at home to promoted Ipswich, and have suffered mixed results in the Champions League.
Two late United comebacks in the past week are unlikely to be enough to save Carrick. His side came back from 2-0 down to beat Roma 3-2 on Tuesday night and then two stoppage-time efforts salvaged a 4-4 draw against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.
Pochettino on United’s wish list
If he is sacked, United have several options. Mauricio Pochettino is the current favorite after a weekend betting surge. The Argentine is the current boss of the United States national team and signed a new four-year deal in August that includes a £7m release clause.
Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann are the other main contenders with both men out of work.
Carrick has ruled out resigning and hopes to weather the storm.
Asked if he was considering leaving after the Villa game, he told Sky Sports: “I haven’t. I’m very clear about the direction the club needs to go and it needs to win games.
“We haven’t won enough games, but I hope to go forward and continue to work on the things we’ve been working on and show a lot of good in today’s game, correct some mistakes and win football games.”