Manchester United have decided to keep Michael Carrick as head coach after key stakeholders were unconvinced by any of the available replacements, according to reports. The decision follows a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth that had left Carrick's position looking untenable.
Board talks and candidate shortlist
Majority shareholders Joel and Avram Glazer, minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada held a lengthy call on Monday to discuss Carrick's future. Former Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe and ex-Germany and Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann have been the two favourites for the position.
Another candidate understood to be in the mix is former Chelsea and Tottenham manager Antonio Conte. United have not made a formal approach for Conte, who is a free agent after leaving Napoli in the summer.
Why Carrick stays
The Sun report that one reason Carrick has kept his job is that United's key stakeholders are not convinced by any of the free agent candidates. One source claimed United are struggling to attract big-name targets and said: "The best ones won't come."
Wilcox is believed to be pushing for Howe, who left Newcastle in the summer and is said to be familiar with the club having anticipated a potential opening. Nagelsmann is being pushed by head of recruitment Christopher Vivell, who worked with the German during their time together in the Red Bull group.
Unai Emery also has admirers within Old Trafford, but he is under contract at Aston Villa until 2029, making an exit expensive and difficult.
Carrick's record and current form
Carrick will be given time to arrest the decline. United have gone eight matches in all competitions without a victory, sit 16th in the Premier League, one point above the relegation zone, and are out of the League Cup after a third-round exit to Brighton and Hove Albion. They are also 20th in the Champions League table.
Carrick oversaw an excellent run as caretaker manager last season, recording more points than any other Premier League manager from the stage he took over, which helped United finish third. The club signed Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos in the summer, but the failure to sign any new defenders, particularly at left-back, has cost Carrick dearly.
Should United keep Carrick beyond this weekend's trip to Chelsea, he will prepare for a Champions League home clash against Roma, followed by a home match against Aston Villa.
