Michael Carrick was present at Manchester United's Carrington training complex on Monday afternoon, arriving at roughly 1.50pm to watch the under-21 side in a behind-closed-doors fixture, according to The Guardian. At the same time, sporting director Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada were at the site weighing whether to dismiss the head coach.
The pressure follows a run of eight matches without a victory for Carrick's team, who have won twice all season. United sit 16th in the Premier League, one point clear of the relegation places.
Why it matters
United's league position has turned a managerial question into a relegation concern at a club that expects to compete at the top of the table. The decision rests with Wilcox and Berrada, but the wider unrest at Old Trafford extends beyond the dugout. The Telegraph reports that supporters are in open conflict with the Glazer family, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos, suggesting any change of coach would not by itself settle the club's difficulties.
Howe leads the list of possible replacements
Should the 45-year-old Carrick be removed, The Guardian reports that Eddie Howe remains Wilcox's first choice, with contact between the two parties understood to have taken place. The former Newcastle manager is said to be willing to take the job, subject to negotiations.
Howe would cost less to appoint than Unai Emery, another manager admired at the club, because Aston Villa would seek around £20m in compensation for the Spaniard.
Julian Nagelsmann, previously in charge of Germany and Bayern Munich, is held in high regard by Christopher Vivell, United's head of recruitment, who is believed to have approached his fellow German. However, Wilcox's opinion may carry greater weight with Ratcliffe, who oversees football policy at the club. Antonio Conte, who left Napoli in the summer, is also mentioned as a possible candidate.
Fernandes dropped and left on the bench
Carrick left Bruno Fernandes out of the starting line-up for the defeat by Bournemouth, describing the call as made for "pure football reasons". The decision came after the 32-year-old captain criticised Carrick's tactics following last Wednesday's 4-1 loss at Como.
Fernandes remained an unused substitute, and he and other players were booed by supporters in the Stretford End after the Bournemouth result. On Monday the midfielder liked an Instagram post carrying the message: "Never push a loyal person to the point where they no longer care." The same post added that "the person holding everything together is usually the one nobody thinks to check on."
Ineos and Lausanne-Sport
Separately, Ineos, the company owned by Ratcliffe, has reportedly listed FC Lausanne-Sport for sale. The Guardian contacted Ineos for comment and the company declined to respond. Lausanne-Sport are currently bottom of the Swiss top division.
The coming days should clarify whether Wilcox and Berrada move against Carrick, and whether Howe or another candidate is approached formally.
