Manchester United have been dealt a blow in their attempts to provide under-pressure head coach Michael Carrick with additional support, with a reported option to add to his coaching staff now looking unlikely.
Carrick's position at Old Trafford has been subject to intense scrutiny for several weeks, and calls for him to be sacked have grown louder on social media, with United languishing in the Premier League relegation zone heading into the international break.
Evaluation During the Break
While United produced two stirring comebacks in the space of five days at home to Roma and Aston Villa, they have won just three games across all competitions so far this season, one of which has come in the Premier League.
It has been widely reported that the United board are in no rush to make a decision regarding Carrick's future. According to Sky Sports, the plan is for the club's chiefs to use the international break to fully evaluate the season so far and reassess their options, though there is a feeling in the boardroom that Carrick and his coaching staff still retain the support of the fans and players.
Danks Deal Looks Unlikely
In a further twist, talkSPORT has revealed that one option on the table is to add to Carrick's coaching staff. The report claims that Bayern Munich assistant head coach Aaron Danks was considered by United in the summer, but hopes of revisiting a potential deal now look very unlikely.
This is because Danks would not be expected to leave the Bundesliga champions mid-season, and has performed well in the absence of Vincent Kompany, who was taken to hospital last month after collapsing during reserve-team training.
Carrick's Plans for the Break
Carrick revealed before the Aston Villa draw that plans were in place for the November international break, with attentions shortly turning to the Liverpool game a week on Sunday.
“No, no. Just carry on as absolute normal,” he told reporters. “Maybe three or four senior players will be in and around [the training ground], but we’ll certainly train next week and maybe have the weekend off. We’ll see how that develops, who’s left behind, who’s with us and what they need. But there’ll certainly be training next week. Whatever happens, what’s going to happen is going to happen in terms of the game (against Villa), and we’ve got to prepare right, looking forward to it.”
