Manchester United chiefs will decide this week whether to sack Michael Carrick as they assess the club's situation. The Red Devils sit in the Premier League bottom three, having won just one of their first 10 league games this season.
A 4-4 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon, secured by two stoppage-time goals, was not enough to lift them out of the relegation zone. Heavy defeats to Como and Bournemouth two weeks ago had put Carrick under pressure, but he was given the chance to turn the form around. The international break could now provide an opportunity to make a change.
Recent results and ongoing issues
United have produced better displays but have recorded only one victory from encounters with Chelsea, Roma and Villa. Certain problems plaguing the squad have persisted. The team performed well in the opening period at Stamford Bridge before Lisandro Martinez was shown a red card, then recovered from 2-0 down to beat Roma 3-2 in a Champions League contest. They subsequently fell 2-0 and 4-2 behind against Aston Villa before stoppage-time strikes from Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu.
Suffering defeat in only one of those matches represents a positive for Carrick, but they have conceded eight goals along the way and leaked goals in bunches yet again.
Hierarchy to reconvene
With a fortnight's pause for international duties now underway, United's hierarchy will reconvene to determine Carrick's destiny. Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox will feature prominently in that discussion, although both face significant pressure themselves, reports the Manchester Evening News. Co-owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family will also play a part in any ultimate decision regarding Carrick's dismissal following 32 fixtures at the helm.
United have secured only three victories from their 15 encounters across all competitions this term.
Successor considerations
The absence of a clear successor has afforded Carrick some breathing space. Unemployed pair Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann have emerged as leading contenders for the role, while USA manager Mauricio Pochettino remains under consideration.
