Reports are gathering pace that Micheal Carrick is to be replaced anytime soon. What remains unclear is whether he will actually be removed or allowed to carry on in the role.
Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte are the names under discussion at Man Utd as possible successors to manager Michael Carrick, whose position looks seriously at risk following the 3-0 loss at Old Trafford to Bournemouth, according to sources who spoke to ESPN.
Sunday's result at Old Trafford piled further pressure on Carrick, ESPN reports, arriving only five days following a 4-1 Champions League defeat by Como. United have now failed to win in eight matches across every competition, and lie 16th in the Premier League, a single point clear of the drop zone.
The Deliberations for Carrick's Replacements
The club have started to look at other candidates for the job, ESPN reports, and among those under consideration are Howe, who previously managed Newcastle United, and Nagelsmann, the former Germany head coach.
The report went on to say that Conte, who departed Napoli in the close season, would be prepared to enter discussions if United made contact.
It was reported that United carried out due diligence on a number of coaches before they handed Carrick a two-year deal in May, after he had impressed during his spell in interim charge.
Carrick, a former United midfielder, now faces an uncertain future, having failed to get a reaction from his players after the heavy defeat by Como.
Bruno Fernandes, the club captain, was left out by Carrick for the Bournemouth fixture, a decision that followed the midfielder's public criticism of how the side had set up against Como. Even so, United turned in yet another poor display at Old Trafford.
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Bournemouth punished mistakes at the back to net three goals, with Rayan, Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson all on target, leaving United's troubles looking even deeper.
Following the defeat, Carrick conceded that he had no idea what decision the club would reach about his future.
“I totally understand the situation,” he said. “I am not expecting anything, I’m carrying on as normal. I love this place. I’ll always carry on doing what I think is the best for the football club.”
Man Utd's Current Situation
- Winless Run: Man Utd have gone eight straight matches, in every competition, without a victory.
- Weak Record: Only two of their 12 games so far this season have ended in a win.
- Bleakest Opening: With seven points taken from their first eight Premier League fixtures, the club has made its poorest start to a campaign since 1986.
- Premier League Standing: Man Utd are currently 16th in the table, only a single point clear of the relegation zone.
- Crisis Talks: Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the Glazers, and club leadership have held a summit at Carrington to evaluate Carrick's future.
Next up for United is a Saturday trip to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and tough games against Aston Villa and Liverpool lie ahead as they try to halt their decline.
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