Michael Carrick apologised to Manchester United's 700 travelling supporters following a devastating 4-1 Champions League loss to Italian club Como on Wednesday, but his position remains under intense scrutiny as senior figures at the club express alarm over recent displays.
According to BBC Sport, Carrick is expected to continue as manager for Sunday's Premier League fixture against Bournemouth, having received no indication of an imminent departure. However, the club's hierarchy has begun identifying potential successors, and internal concerns about the team's trajectory have intensified following the humiliating defeat in Como.
United were severely depleted for the Champions League encounter, missing nine first-team players including Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford and Lisandro Martínez. Despite this, sources within Old Trafford believe the squad should be performing at a considerably higher standard. One senior figure told BBC Sport:
We need to work hard to get through it.Another acknowledged that while the injury situation
doesn't help, but no excuse, adding that effort levels were
concerning. The same source emphasised:
We have a Champions League squad and need to be playing at that level.
The defeat to Como, in which Nico Paz scored twice with Anastasios Douvikas and Jacobo Ramón also finding the net, while Joshua Zirkzee grabbed a late consolation, extended United's winless run to seven matches. This sequence represents the club's worst spell since 2015-16, when eight consecutive defeats without victory brought Louis van Gaal to the brink of dismissal. The loss also marked a significant European setback: United's consecutive Champions League defeats by multiple goals had not occurred since 2003.
Despite widespread concern about performances, some within United's leadership believe the frequent managerial changes of recent years have failed to reverse the club's decline, and that Carrick has been undermined by underperforming players. Nevertheless, the club has already begun the process of identifying replacements. Eddie Howe, Antonio Conte and Julian Naglesmann are understood to be under consideration for the Old Trafford position. Howe, available after departing Newcastle in the close season, is reportedly open to returning to management with United. Conte and Naglesmann, both currently out of work, have also expressed interest. Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery and Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler are viewed favourably by United's decision-makers, though extracting either from their respective clubs would present significant obstacles.
Captain Bruno Fernandes questioned Carrick's tactical approach following Wednesday's match, intensifying the pressure on the manager. The squad was given Thursday off, and the club subsequently confirmed a pre-match press conference for Friday afternoon, signalling that Carrick would remain in charge for the Bournemouth fixture, with the squad due back at Carrington for training that day.
How does Carrick's situation compare to his predecessors?
For the third consecutive year, United have publicly and financially backed a manager during the summer transfer window, yet positive results have failed to materialise. Ruben Amorim lasted until January before his dismissal, following a shock League Cup defeat to League Two side Grimsby in August and a poor performance at Brentford less than a month later. Erik ten Hag was retained following extensive consideration of alternatives including Thomas Tuchel and Roberto de Zerbi in summer 2024, but was dismissed in October after an inconsistent start to the season.
When Carrick was appointed on a permanent basis in May, there were dissenting voices, but most supporters felt his record of 12 wins from 17 matches in interim charge, combined with United's return to the Champions League after a two-year absence, justified giving the 45-year-old former United midfielder a full opportunity. However, results have since deteriorated dramatically. Two wins from 11 games across all competitions, with none in seven, represents a performance level that is simply unacceptable at a club of United's stature. As head coach, Carrick bears significant responsibility for this trajectory.
What are the underlying problems at the club?
Accusations of lacking passion, desire and intensity have characterised United's season, with the team winning just two of their matches in all competitions. Injuries have compounded difficulties, with key players unavailable for extended periods. Beyond fitness issues, several established performers have failed to reach anticipated levels. The team has struggled to create attacking opportunities while simultaneously conceding freely, managing only a single clean sheet across the entire campaign as form, results and confidence have all deteriorated.
This deterioration has been accompanied by explosive public comments from senior players. Experienced defender Lisandro Martínez attacked the club's recruitment strategy, while Fernandes criticised Carrick's tactical decisions. Former manager Ten Hag gave an interview to the Athletic in which he spoke of
broken promisesand a
toxic culture. Collectively, these outbursts suggest a club lacking control, discipline and a coherent forward-looking strategy.
Senior figures acknowledge that while recruitment decisions warrant scrutiny—particularly the failure to strengthen midfield adequately or provide additional striking support for Benjamin Sesko or competition at left-back—the players themselves must accept substantial responsibility for the current predicament. Whether this perspective assists Carrick's case remains uncertain.
What are the practical obstacles to change?
The proximity of Sunday's Premier League fixture complicates any potential managerial transition. Following Amorim's dismissal in January, Darren Fletcher served as interim manager for two matches before returning to his Under-18 coaching role. However, two of the coaches who assisted Fletcher—Jonny Evans and Travis Binnion—remained with the senior setup as part of Carrick's backroom team.
A clearer window for decision-making may emerge following United's EFL Cup fixture against Brighton, which would allow the club to assess the situation without the immediate pressure of a forthcoming match. Brighton defeated United 4-4 in a memorable encounter at Old Trafford last season, and have won 3-0 on both of their previous two visits to the ground.
What happens next?
Manchester United are scheduled to host Bournemouth on Sunday, 25 October, in the Premier League, with kick-off at 2 p.m. UK time. Bournemouth secured their first Premier League victory under new manager Marco Rose last week. It remains unclear whether Carrick will remain in charge beyond this fixture, or indeed how much longer his tenure will extend. The only certainty surrounding Manchester United at present is the pervasive sense of uncertainty itself—a familiar and troubling pattern for the club.
