Michael Carrick’s future as Manchester United manager hangs in the balance.
United sank to a new low on Sunday as it was beaten 3-0 at Old Trafford by Bournemouth. The defeat extends their winless run to eight games and leaves United just above the drop zone in the Premier League.
Sky Sports News understands United chiefs were already considering alternatives for the manager’s role even before the defeat by Bournemouth amid the club’s worst start to a Premier League season.
United’s hierarchy will now accelerate that process, with an expectation from insiders at the club that Carrick will be relieved of his duties.
That decision will ultimately fall to director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada, who will make a recommendation to co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Carragher calls for a quick decision as a frightened Neville predicts the sack
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Manchester United v Bournemouth in the Premier League
Carrick’s position appeared to have become untenable as Bournemouth cruised to a deserved win on Sunday in which United were second best. With captain Bruno Fernandes on the bench for the duration of the game following his midweek criticism of Carrick’s tactics, United were lucky to only lose by three goals.
“It’s going to be extremely difficult for Michael Carrick to be Manchester United manager going forward. That’s the problem the club has,” Neville said during Sky Sports’ match commentary. In his podcast, Neville concluded: “They’ll probably sack him. Tomorrow, they’ll probably make a decision that will disgust Manchester United fans, but it’s probably necessary.”
“Michael Carrick should be relieved of his duties tonight,” added Jamie Carragher. “Not only for the good of Manchester United, but also for the good of Michael Carrick. It has become unsustainable.”
Who are the contenders to replace Carrick?
Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann, Unai Emery and Antonio Conte
Rob Dorsett and Dan Khan from Sky Sports News:
If Carrick is to leave, Julian Nagelsmann and Eddie Howe are the two frontrunners to take over at Old Trafford. Both are available to start quickly, and neither would require any compensation to be paid. Howe, when he resigned as Newcastle manager in July, said he wanted to take a break from football to recharge his batteries. But Sky Sports News has been told he would be interested in talking to United should a vacancy become available.
Howe was recommended by former United sporting director Dan Ashworth as a suitable candidate in the past, having gotten to know him well during his time at Newcastle. Wilcox, United’s current director of football, is thought to favor hiring a manager with Premier League experience.
Nagelsmann is well known to United’s head of recruitment Christopher Vivell, as the two men worked closely together at RB Leipzig. The former Bayern Munich boss has been out of a job since resigning as Germany coach following a disastrous World Cup that saw the side knocked out by Paraguay in the round of 32 in the summer.
Unai Emery and Antonio Conte have also been considered by United as potential replacements, but they are not thought to be among the current favourites. Emery, we’re told, remains committed to the project at Aston Villa.
But Carragher backs Emery’s candidacy
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Jamie Carragher reacts to Man Utd’s 3-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth and criticizes all aspects of the club as pressure mounts on Michael Carrick.
However, Carragher believes Aston Villa’s Unai Emery should be United’s first target.
“He’s a manager I look at when I think of Manchester United,” Carragher said. “I think Emery is the best manager in the Premier League. But I have this thing with him. Yes, his record in the Europa League is amazing, but surely someone who is that successful wants to be recognized in the Champions League.
“He wants to win the Champions League. He won’t do that at Aston Villa.
“He’s had two experiences that haven’t gone particularly well for him, Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal. And I think he’d probably want that opportunity to prove himself at an absolute giant of a football club. Sorry, Villa fans.”
