Michael Carrick was taunted with chants of "sacked in the morning" and "you're going down with [Man] City" as Manchester United lost again at Old Trafford on Sunday. The 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth followed a loss to Como in the week, leaving the United boss under intense pressure.
Back-to-back humiliations at Old Trafford
Old Trafford was battered by Storm Boelo over the weekend as high-speed winds and torrential rain swept across the country. But another storm has been brewing at the Theatre of Dreams for months, and Carrick looks increasingly unlikely to weather it.
If Como was the turning point, Bournemouth really felt like the end for Carrick, who could only stand and watch as he was serenaded with chants of "sacked in the morning" and "you're going down with [Man] City". Halloween is less than a week away, but it is already the scariest time of the year for Carrick after back-to-back humiliations.
Fernandes dropped in bold gamble
The United boss made the bold decision to drop Bruno Fernandes, who publicly criticised Carrick after their Como loss in the week. He cut a disinterested figure in the famous Old Trafford dugout as his side were played off the park.
United were chasing shadows as Bournemouth attacked at ease through a disjointed midfield that has, quite frankly, downed tools. Ayden Heaven was at fault for the opening goal and was lucky to stay on the pitch. The central defender jumped into a tackle with his studs up, and was rather lucky the Bournemouth attacker jumped out of the way.
Justin Kluivert took the free-kick and an unmarked Rayan rolled the ball home. It would go from bad to worse, as Marcus Tavernier continued his goalscoring form after a horrendous mistake from Leny Yoro. The Cherries got their third in the second half, as Evanilson rounded Senne Lammes and whipped the ball into an open net. It was routine for Bournemouth, almost like a training session.
Questions mount over Carrick's future
Storm clouds continue to gather above Old Trafford and Carrick is rapidly running out of places to hide. The decision to axe Fernandes was a huge gamble, and it has spectacularly backfired. However, what Fernandes, in his current form, would have added to the game is up for debate.
Instead of stamping his authority on a dressing room that appears to be slipping from his grasp, Carrick has only raised further questions about his future. United look devoid of confidence, direction and, perhaps most worryingly, fight. Gary Neville, who was on comms for Sky Sports, pointed out it is not the first time this United team have downed tools.
And, with the way things are going at the club, without an overhaul from top to bottom it will not be the last. Storm Boelo might have passed by the time the final whistle sounded, but the storm engulfing Carrick shows no sign of letting up.
