Manchester United have been reminded that Michael Carrick was never a top manager when he arrived, nor did he have experience of a club at the top level. The Red Devils have won just two of their 12 games this season, raising serious questions about Carrick's future.
Pressure mounts after poor start
Many expected Carrick to be sacked after the Bournemouth loss on Sunday, but he has been retained and will remain in charge this weekend. His only major job before United was leading Middlesbrough in the Championship, but he was handed the reins at Old Trafford last January, with the original plan for him to manage until the end of the season.
A stunning interim spell, which saw wins over Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa, had United up to third, and he was given the job full-time. However, plenty felt there was still a serious risk, and John Obi Mikel has issued stark reminders.
Mikel's blunt assessment
Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, Mikel said: "The fans are not stupid. They come week in, week out, see what goes on, and they know exactly where the problem lies. Is Michael Carrick a top manager? No. Did he manage at the top level before getting the United job? No."
He added: "But we all knew that it was going to be a learning process. He did a wonderful job last season, got them back into the Champions League for the first time in a long time. Collectively, these Manchester United players are not good enough. They were dreadful to watch, awful to watch. It was a disaster."
Fan backing and future plans
Carrick retains the backing of the fans, who sang his name at the weekend despite the dire performance, with their anger directed at the players and the hierarchy. While United have stuck by Carrick for now, plans are being made for the possibility of a change.
Eddie Howe, out of work after leaving Newcastle, and Julian Nagelsmann are two of the frontrunners. Aston Villa boss Unai Emery, Brighton's Fabian Hurzeler and Antonio Conte are three other names on the shortlist.
Carrick is understood to have held clear-the-air talks with Bruno Fernandes, who called out the United boss after the loss at Como. The Portugal star had been left on the bench at the weekend but could return for Saturday's game at Chelsea.
