Manchester United board expected to recommend Carrick sacking after worst start in 40 years
Manchester United's board is moving toward recommending Michael Carrick's dismissal after a 4-4 draw with Aston Villa left the club 18th in the table, its worst domestic start in four decades.
Manchester United appear increasingly likely to part ways with head coach Michael Carrick, with the club's worst domestic start in 40 years intensifying pressure on the dugout. A 4-4 draw against Aston Villa on Sunday left United 18th in the table and added to the sense of crisis at Old Trafford.
The club chose to keep Carrick after a 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth on 25 October, intending to reassess the situation during this month's international break. Multiple sources have told BBC Sport that the board remains committed to that process and that no final decision has been made on Carrick's future.
There is, however, a growing expectation that chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox will recommend Carrick's dismissal to minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family. That would mark a significant call from the club's football leadership as they weigh results against the wider state of the team.
Attention has already turned to possible successors. BBC Sport reported in October that United had sounded out former Newcastle boss Eddie Howe and ex-Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann about the role. Former Chelsea coach Antonio Conte is known to be keen, while former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is said to be open to a move to Old Trafford.
Pochettino signed a contract extension as USA coach in August, though the deal is thought to include clauses permitting him to leave for certain high-profile jobs. The US face Haiti in a two-legged Concacaf Nations League play-off on 14 and 18 November, a scheduling factor that could complicate any approach.
Supporters are likely to view the board's impending recommendation as overdue given the league position, though the club has stressed that its review is not yet complete. The distinction matters: the expectation of a sacking is reported, not confirmed, and no final decision has been announced.
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
