Michael Carrick remains Manchester United manager after crisis talks, but Saturday's Premier League trip to Chelsea could determine how long he stays in the post. United have won just two of their 12 matches in all competitions this season and are winless in eight, leaving Carrick under immense pressure.
Pressure Mounts After Bournemouth Defeat
United have tasted victory only once in the Premier League - a 5-2 win against newly-promoted Ipswich Town - and currently sit 16th. Sunday's 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth seemed set to end Carrick's reign, yet the club opted not to sack him.
After crisis talks involving CEO Omar Berrada and sporting director Jason Wilcox, the decision was made to give Carrick more time, with viable replacements scarce and a dressing room disagreement resolved. However, the impending visit to Stamford Bridge feels like a must-win.
Roy Keane's Warning to Carrick
United hero Roy Keane has told "lucky boy" Carrick exactly what he must do after surviving the axe. Speaking alongside Gary Neville on the Stick to Football podcast, Keane said: "When he got the job last year and Carrick went in there, we said from day one we didn't think he was probably good enough long term."
"It's alright managing a few games, all of a sudden, then you've got to manage the football club, preseason, expectations, recruitment. They were getting results last year and people were saying you've got to give him the job because of results. All of a sudden, they're not getting the results. 'Oh, it's the board, it's [Jason] Wilcox. It's somebody else.' Michael Carrick, his coaching staff, Jonny [Evans], [Jonathan] Woodgate, [Steve] Holland - they're lucky boys to be still involved at Manchester United. They have to grow a pair and start getting results on Saturday. Get a result at Chelsea."
Three Replacements Identified
Elsewhere, two of Keane's former Old Trafford team-mates, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, have voted on three managers they agree would be fit to take over should Carrick be let go - and one of them was the Irishman.
The United legends, appearing on the X page of their podcast, The Good, The Bad & The Football, were both given 11 names. They only agreed on three. Antonio Conte was the first put to them, and whilst Scholes approved, Butt did not. Next up was Gareth Southgate, and they were split: Butt gave him the nod, but Scholes didn't buy into the ex-England coach.
Unai Emery was the third, and both agreed he'd be a stellar fit. Out of the other eight, only Keane and Kieran McKenna had the two in agreement. On Keane, Butt said: "It would be fun" before Scholes admitted with a grin: "I don't see why not."
The pair were split on Fabian Hurzeler and Mauricio Pochettino, whilst both turned their noses up at Eddie Howe, Daniel Farke, Cesc Fabregas and Julian Nagelsmann for the time being.
