Michael Carrick faces Man Utd sack after worst start

Michael Carrick looks increasingly likely to be sacked as Manchester United head coach, with the club's leadership expected to recommend his dismissal after the worst start to a league season in 40 years. BBC Sport reported that no final decision has been made, but that the mood at Old Trafford has turned firmly against him.

Sunday's 4-4 draw with Aston Villa left United 18th in the Premier League, one point above bottom club Crystal Palace, going into the November international break.

Why Michael Carrick is under pressure

The numbers are stark. According to BBC Sport:

• United have won only one of their first 10 Premier League matches.
• It is their worst start to a top-flight campaign since the 1986-87 season.
• They have conceded 19 league goals, a total beaten only by Crystal Palace and Ipswich.
• They have three wins in 15 matches in all competitions.

The board considered a change after a 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth on 25 October, but chose to give the 45-year-old more time and review the situation during the two-week break. The three games since then brought one win, one draw and one defeat. That run included a memorable fightback in Europe, covered in our report on Man Utd's 3-2 comeback against Roma, but also more defensive lapses.

Who will decide

BBC Sport said there is a growing expectation that chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox will recommend that Michael Carrick be sacked. The final call rests with minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who controls sporting policy, and the Glazer family.

Several British outlets, including the Manchester Evening News citing talkSPORT, reported that Ratcliffe was due to lead a meeting in Monaco on Tuesday where Carrick's future was on the agenda. The club had not confirmed any decision at the time of writing. Carrick and his staff were due back at the Carrington training ground on Tuesday.

Possible replacements

BBC Sport reported in October that United had sounded out former Newcastle boss Eddie Howe and ex-Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann. It also named other names now linked with the job:

• Mauricio Pochettino, the former Tottenham boss and current USA coach, is said to be open to a move.
• Antonio Conte, formerly of Chelsea, is known to be keen on the role.
• Eddie Howe, who is taking a break from management, remains on United's radar.

Pochettino extended his USA contract in August, but the deal is thought to include clauses that let him leave for certain high-profile jobs. The USA face Haiti in a two-legged Concacaf Nations League play-off on 14 and 18 November, which could affect any timing.

How the season turned sour

Carrick signed a two-year contract last summer after an earlier spell as interim boss. Injuries hurt early on, with Amad Diallo ruled out for seven weeks before the opening game and Benjamin Sesko still easing back from a shin problem. Since then, fitness and defending have been repeated concerns, from a poor display against a Manchester City side reduced to 10 men to a late equaliser conceded against 10-man Tottenham.

After the Villa draw, Carrick said he would not step down. His side did show spirit by coming from two goals down several times in recent games, which some at the club see as proof the players still back him.

What comes next

United's next match is away at Liverpool on 22 November, and reports suggest the club wants any change made before then. Anfield is a tough place to start a rescue job, as shown when Arsenal beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield, although Liverpool have had their own wobbles, including a late 3-2 defeat at Fenerbahce. United supporters in Thailand will be watching closely for an announcement in the coming days.

The latest on the story is available from BBC Sport.

Image: Old Trafford, home of Manchester United, where Michael Carrick's future is under review. Photo by Joris van Rooden via Wikimedia Commons, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.