Manchester United executives are weighing up Michael Carrick's position as head coach and are set to make a decision on whether to sack the 45-year-old this week. The club sits in the relegation zone during the international break, and Sunday's dramatic 4-4 draw with Aston Villa means they have won just one of their first 10 games of the Premier League season.
Recent results under scrutiny
Carrick was given a chance to turn a dire predicament around two weeks ago, when he looked set to be sacked after back-to-back three-goal defeats to Como and Bournemouth. Since then, United have delivered improved performances but have managed just one win from games against Chelsea, Roma and Villa, and some of the issues affecting this team have remained clear.
United were better in the first half at Stamford Bridge before Lisandro Martinez was sent off, then came from 2-0 down to beat Roma 3-2 in a dramatic Champions League tie. They then trailed 2-0 and 4-2 to Aston Villa before injury-time goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu.
Defensive concerns persist
That they have lost only one of those games is a positive for Carrick, but they have shipped eight goals in the process and have conceded goals in clusters once again. With a two-week break for internationals now underway, United's decision-makers will reconvene to make a decision on Carrick's future.
Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox will be heavily involved in that process, although both are under intense scrutiny themselves. Co-owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family will also be involved in a final call on whether to sack Carrick after 32 games in charge. United have won just three of their 15 matches in all competitions this season.
Replacement options considered
The lack of an obvious replacement has helped to buy Carrick some time, with out-of-work duo Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann the front-runners for the job, while USA boss Mauricio Pochettino is also in the frame.
