Manchester United players are determined to turn the club's fortunes around and get behind Michael Carrick, according to an unnamed player. The board has decided that Carrick, 45, will remain as manager, at least until this weekend's Premier League away trip to Chelsea.
The Reds have gone eight matches in all competitions without a victory and were outclassed by Bournemouth at Old Trafford last weekend. United are 16th, just one point above the relegation zone, and are enduring their worst start to a Premier League season in history.
Players rally behind Carrick
According to the BBC, a player said: "The feeling is that we all want to put it right. Players, staff, everyone."
The United players were booed off the pitch by the furious Old Trafford crowd after the 3-0 loss to the Cherries. It was the club's third defeat in four matches and followed an equally poor display against Como in the Champions League, in which Cesc Fabregas' side overcame the Reds 4-1.
Upcoming fixtures and board considerations
The fixtures are only getting harder for United. After Chelsea on Saturday, they play host to Roma at Old Trafford the following Tuesday, before taking on Aston Villa at home on November 8.
United will then head into the international break until November 22, after which they travel to face Liverpool at Anfield, before taking on Sporting in the Champions League on November 25 and Brentford at home on November 28.
At present, Carrick is the man in the United dugout. Reports from the Sun have claimed the United board are unconvinced by any of the available candidates, who include Antonio Conte, Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann. All three managers are currently free agents, but the powers that be at Old Trafford are understood not to be won over by any of them.
Board disagreement over next manager
There is also disagreement at the board level, as it's believed director of football Jason Wilcox wants Eddie Howe, while head of recruitment Christopher Vivell wants Julian Nagelsmann.
Unai Emery has also been linked with the club, but the Spaniard has a contract at Aston Villa until 2029. Prising him out of Villa Park would be expensive, and club chiefs accept it would be a difficult deal to strike. Emery also has a large amount of control regarding recruitment and strategy at Villa Park, while United want their operators to work under the title 'head coach' rather than manager.
