Manchester United's 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League could spell the end for Michael Carrick, who has won just two of his 12 league games in charge this season. However, if he is sacked, the club's leadership should also face scrutiny for their role in the team's decline.
Carrick's Position Under Threat
Omar Berrada was seen shaking his head in the directors' box as United fell two goals behind against Bournemouth. Carrick had promised fans would see a "different team" after the heavy defeat to Como, making four changes including dropping Bruno Fernandes, but the performance was again chaotic.
Berrada and Jason Wilcox now face a decision on Carrick's future. It feels inevitable he will be sacked within 24 hours after a string of poor results, with supporters singing his name in the Stretford End before and after kick-off. The 45-year-old has continued to make costly mistakes, despite the sympathy felt for him.
Tactical Errors and Defensive Issues
Carrick changed the formation against Leeds and Como, with mixed results. The tweak nullified Leeds but backfired against Como, leading him to revert to a 4-2-3-1 for the Bournemouth match. However, his defensive selection was questionable, with Leny Yoro at right-back and Diogo Dalot at left-back, leaving Ayden Heaven and Harry Maguire in central defence.
The logical choice would have been to start Heaven at left-back after his decent display there against Atletico Madrid, which would have paired Yoro and Maguire centrally and allowed Dalot to play in his natural right-back role. Bournemouth's first-half goals came from mistakes by Heaven and Yoro, and Yoro's error might not have happened had he started at centre-back, his usual position.
Fan Frustration and Board Accountability
The writing was on the wall from the first whistle. Carrick's passionate pre-match press conference was a call to arms, but there was no reaction from the players. Bournemouth started brightly as United struggled to build from the back, with the home side second-best to second balls.
The Stretford End tried to generate noise, but the atmosphere quickly turned flat, a problem all season at Old Trafford. Audible frustration came from the stands after just 10 minutes, with groans seven minutes later when Senne Lammens claimed a cross. Carrick was visibly angry at the first Bournemouth goal, protesting to the fourth official, but was motionless when the second went in.
There seemed to be an air of acceptance from Carrick as the Cherries celebrated Marcus Tavernier's goal. The away fans taunted him with "You're getting sacked in the morning" and "You're going down with the City," as United are in relegation form. When a third goal was conceded, the Stretford End sang Carrick's name before airing anti-Glazer and anti-Sir Jim Ratcliffe songs.
Fernandes Fallout and Future
Carrick made a statement by leaving Fernandes on the bench. The fallout with his captain has been an unexpected twist, but Fernandes' public questioning of his tactics after Como was out of order. Fernandes is set to outlast Carrick and will be restored to the starting XI by his successor, presuming Bournemouth is Carrick's final game.
Carrick has been let down by senior players when he needed them most, and by United's board over the summer, which failed to adequately strengthen the squad, leaving holes in key areas. There is a slim chance of Berrada and Wilcox answering for the latest mess, as they have limped from one bad decision to another, surviving in their roles despite repeated failings. Carrick's head is on the chopping block, and if he is sacked, those upstairs at Old Trafford should be following him through the exit door.
