Manchester United face a compensation bill of more than £7 million if they decide to sack head coach Michael Carrick, following a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday.
Goals from Rayan, Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson condemned United to a third defeat in four matches and extended their winless run to eight games across all competitions. The club have dropped to 16th in the Premier League table, having collected seven points from a possible 24.
The result has intensified scrutiny on Carrick's position, with some observers calling for his immediate removal.
Cost of dismissal
According to reports, dismissing the 45-year-old would cost United between £7.2m and £8.8m. The figure would be close to the £8.5m paid out to Ruben Amorim after he was sacked in January, with Carrick having been appointed as the club's permanent head coach in the summer.
United have won just once in the Premier League this season, a 5-2 victory over Ipswich Town in August.
Carrick's reaction
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Carrick described the defeat as a difficult day for the players.
"It was a strange, mixed of emotions at the end of the game. It wasn't a nice way to end the game. It was a tough day for the players. We went into the game having been rocked. You can feel that. They're really hurting and disappointed in there. It's not a nice feeling. You have to accept it, we're in that situation," he said.
He added: "It's really difficult to have a day like this at this football club and feel the emotion and dynamics of what it was like today. Not for me personally but for Manchester United. It was really mixed. I feel responsibility with the position I'm in. I've been at the club a long time. It hurts a lot going through this."
Pundits call for change
Jamie Carragher has urged United to sack Carrick immediately, describing his position as "untenable".
"It's become untenable," Carragher told Sky Sports. "Carrick wants to be changed. He doesn't want to be sat in the dugout with those players. Can you imagine going into the training ground tomorrow with Bruno Fernandes after not bringing him on? It's a rancid dressing room. He wants to be put out of his misery tonight."
"Manchester United need to make that decision tonight," he continued. "Michael Carrick needs to be relieved of his duties tonight. Not just for the good of Manchester United but also for the good of Michael Carrick."
Gary Neville branded the situation an "absolute mess".
Neville said: "The Manchester United fans are singing the Michael Carrick song because I think they know what's going to happen here. They've seen this before. He's one of their own and he's popular."
"But the owners, the sporting department and the players are not popular and they've badly let this football club down. Those two [Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox] tomorrow are probably going to make a decision that will disgust Manchester United fans, but it's probably necessary. It's just an absolute mess."
