Michael Carrick is set to be sacked by Manchester United after the club’s dismal start to the season, according to reports on Tuesday. The club’s hierarchy has been carrying out an internal review of its miserable form, which has left United in the middle of their worst opening to a campaign in 40 years.
United are languishing in the Premier League relegation zone after an eight-match winless run. Reports said Carrick’s future is expected to be decided at a meeting on Wednesday in Monaco, attended by shareholder Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox. No final decision has reportedly been made, but Berrada and Wilcox are said to be leaning towards dismissing him.
Carrick’s reprieve ends after a run of poor results
Ratcliffe and the Glazer family, who own United, would then decide whether to act on that recommendation, with an announcement potentially coming on Thursday. Carrick was seen arriving at the club’s Carrington training base on Tuesday, but it appears only a matter of time before his turbulent reign ends.
The 45-year-old had been granted a stay of execution in late October, when he was widely expected to be axed after a 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth. United’s decision to keep him failed to bring a significant improvement in performances, particularly at the back. They were beaten 2-0 at Chelsea and then scrambled a last-gasp 3-2 win against Roma in the Champions League after falling two goals behind.
The situation looked certain to end when United twice trailed by two goals against Aston Villa on Sunday. Their late fightback, with two goals in stoppage time to rescue a 4-4 draw, was seen as a positive sign for Carrick, as the players appeared to still be fighting for him. However, the club’s powerbrokers reportedly look set to make yet another managerial change to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle.
Possible replacements and a tough return to action
United States boss Mauricio Pochettino, former Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, former Chelsea chief Antonio Conte and former Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann have all been linked with the job. United have the rest of the two-week international break to settle the situation before returning to action at bitter rivals Liverpool on November 22.
Carrick has overseen a slide to 18th place, their lowest position 10 games into a top-flight season since 1986-87, when they finished 20th. He had been hired on a permanent basis in the close season after guiding United to third place in the Premier League as interim boss.
Recruitment problems and discipline issues undermine Carrick
Carrick won plaudits for steadying the side after Ruben Amorim’s volatile reign ended in January. However, hampered by underwhelming recruitment in the transfer window, his team have endured a steep decline this season. United, who have not won the title since Alex Ferguson’s final season as boss in 2012-13, signed only midfielders Youri Tielemans, Carlos Baleba and Andrey Santos over the summer, despite a clear need for new forwards.
Carrick also struggled to maintain discipline. He dropped captain Bruno Fernandes after the midfielder criticised his tactics during a 4-1 defeat by Champions League debutants Como. He also dropped defender Lisandro Martinez after Martinez criticised the club’s hierarchy for failing to sign top-quality players.
Despite the turmoil, United fans have remained largely supportive of Carrick. Their anger has instead been directed at the Glazer family, Ratcliffe and the players who have underperformed.
