Michael Carrick is not going to resign. His contract runs until the summer of 2028, and no sane person would walk away from a pay-off that would run into the millions. Waking up to radio phone-ins ranting about his dismissal and bookmakers trumpeting odds on a decent guy getting the sack might make the job feel not worth the ridicule. But if Manchester United's executives believe they made the wrong decision in the summer, they need to pay for it.
Carrick's Position is Precarious
Given the accomplished job Carrick did in the second half of last season, he should be given longer to prove he can make a success of the long-term task. Yet his position is undeniably precarious, and it would surprise no one if he were dismissed during this international break. What should surprise everyone is if United then seriously pursued Unai Emery's services. The eight-goal match between United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford confirmed that.
Many observers highlighted Emery's reactions to the late surrender of a two-goal lead as evidence of his unsuitability for a role that is more than likely to become available soon. There was his premature exit from the arena and some slightly bizarre, tetchy exchanges during post-match media duties.
Emery's Record Against Top Clubs
Media scrutiny at United would normally be more considerable than at Villa, but that would not be a serious concern for United's decision-makers if they have Emery on a shortlist. What would be a concern is that Emery oversaw a team that twice allowed a deeply flawed United side to get back into a game they should have lost. To lose one two-goal lead may be regarded as misfortune; to lose two looks like carelessness.
Strip away the madness of Sunday's match, and the fact is that Emery eventually made five changes to a team that held a two-goal lead, and that lead was wiped out in the dying stages. Not only did Emery withdraw experience, taking off John McGinn and Leon Goretzka, he ignored it. As promising as he is, the situation was not ideal for 19-year-old George Hemmings, who was sent on ahead of Emi Buendia, who remained unused.
Whatever the rights and wrongs of his substitutions, Emery's record against certain marquee clubs stands out, and not in a good way. He has three wins in 31 matches against Barcelona, four in 19 against United, two in 15 against Liverpool, four in 12 against Arsenal, and five in 26 against Real Madrid. The odds have normally been stacked against his team when playing these clubs, although not on Sunday, but it is still eye-catching.
What Happens Next
The whole debate might be spurious. Carrick might be given more time, inspire a victory at Anfield, and go on a winning run. But if Sunday's madcap draw against Villa does prove to herald the end of Carrick's reign, it should also herald the end to any idea of Emery succeeding him.
