Michael Carrick's future as Manchester United head coach will be decided in Monaco on Wednesday during a pre-planned strategy meeting between senior club executives. Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are travelling to the principality to discuss the manager's position, with sources indicating their recommendation is for Carrick to be removed from his post. According to BBC Sport, the decision comes after United's disastrous start to the season has left them 18th in the Premier League, their lowest position at this stage since 1986-87.
The timing presents a significant challenge for minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who purchased a 28.94% stake in the club for just over £1 billion less than three years ago. On Christmas Eve 2023, Ratcliffe outlined an ambitious vision for the club's future.
"Our shared ambition is clear: we all want to see Manchester United back where we belong, at the very top of English, European and world football,"he stated at the time. Instead, United have won just one of their opening 10 Premier League matches and none since August, with the 4-4 draw against Aston Villa on 8 November leaving the club eight league games without a victory, a club record in the Premier League era.
This would mark the third successive mid-season managerial change under Ratcliffe's ownership, following the departures of Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim. The decision carries considerable weight given that Ratcliffe backed Berrada and Wilcox in the summer and sanctioned significant spending on new players.
Why is the meeting taking place in Monaco?
Ratcliffe's residence in Monaco and his company Ineos's offices in the principality provide the location for these regular executive gatherings. The meeting had been scheduled in advance as a routine catch-up between senior leadership and their principal stakeholder, with sources emphasising that the venue was not selected because of the Carrick debate—it simply happens to be the most pressing item on the agenda now.
Previous managerial decisions were handled differently. Ruben Amorim was dismissed just 19 hours after his explosive media conference following a 1-1 draw at Leeds in January. Erik ten Hag's fate was determined at a summer 2024 meeting of senior Ineos executives, though that decision was reversed after Manchester United's FA Cup final victory over Manchester City. A subsequent six-hour meeting at Ineos headquarters in London saw Ten Hag survive once more, only for him to depart three weeks later. Amorim was summoned to Monaco following the Europa League final defeat to Tottenham in 2025.
The travel logistics do present a complication, as Berrada and Wilcox prefer to inform Carrick of any decision face to face. However, sources note that daily contact between senior executives means a video conference could handle the decision alone if needed, suggesting the Monaco location is not the primary reason for any delay. Those familiar with these meetings report they typically occur in the morning, last between three and four hours, and conclude on schedule so Ratcliffe can undertake his regular lunchtime jog. Historically held every six weeks, these gatherings have become less frequent in recent times.
What do we know about the recommendation to sack Carrick?
Carrick earned a two-year contract as Manchester United head coach in the summer after winning 12 of his 17 matches as interim manager.
United initially stood by Carrick following the 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth on 25 October, with club sources insisting they wanted to provide him and his players an opportunity to reverse their fortunes. The two-week international break in November was viewed as a suitable moment to properly assess the campaign's trajectory. However, subsequent performances have shifted the assessment.
Although United ended a lengthy wait for victory by defeating Roma on 3 November, they required a comeback from two goals down to secure a 3-2 victory in a chaotic encounter. They failed to capitalise on an encouraging first-half display against Chelsea, ultimately losing 2-0 after experienced central defender Lisandro Martinez received a red card. The Villa match saw United concede twice within five minutes and mount two separate comebacks to claim a draw, yet the pattern of defensive vulnerability has become increasingly problematic.
Berrada and Wilcox, who attended all three matches, have concluded that the chaotic nature of these contests and the consistent inability to prevent opposition scoring necessitates a change in coaching. United have conceded 30 goals across 15 matches this season—19 in 10 Premier League games, eight in four Champions League fixtures, and three in a single Carabao Cup tie. Sky Sports reported that United's hierarchy believes Carrick retains the dressing room's support, and that changing the head coach may not solve the team's problems, yet the defensive issues have become untenable.
An alternative under consideration involves providing additional coaching support to assist the current squad rather than replacing Carrick entirely. Bayern Munich coach Aaron Danks, who previously worked with Carrick at Middlesbrough and was discussed as a potential appointment in the summer, represents one such option.
Is the recommendation likely to be accepted?
Ratcliffe's response to the recommendation carries significant implications for Berrada and Wilcox. Should he decide otherwise, serious questions would arise regarding their continued working relationship with Carrick and their own positions at the club. Both executives have faced intense and frequent criticism from supporters, yet sources maintain that Ratcliffe retains confidence in them despite the prospect of a third successive mid-season managerial dismissal.
Ratcliffe is known as a decisive operator with firm convictions. His track record includes spending £5 million to recruit Dan Ashworth as sporting director from Newcastle in 2024, then requiring him to spend five months on gardening leave before commencing work. Five months into his tenure, Ashworth was dismissed due to disagreement over Ten Hag's replacement. Ashworth favoured someone with Premier League experience suited to United's squad, while Ratcliffe preferred a more contemporary alternative. Berrada suggested Amorim, and Wilcox, after initial hesitation, agreed. Amorim's tenure lasted 14 months.
The Glazer family represents another variable. Although the club confirmed in 2024 that the board had delegated football responsibility to Ratcliffe's team, United's articles of association permit directors to revoke or alter delegated responsibilities. Of the 12 current directors, six are Glazer family members, including co-chairs Joel and Avi Glazer. Club rules stipulate that the chairman of any meeting holds a second and casting vote if required. While media reports have suggested Glazer dissatisfaction with United's current predicament, no public statement has been issued.
What is Carrick scheduled to be doing for the next couple of days?
Carrick will continue performing his duties as head coach until informed otherwise, as would any employee in his position. Although most of his squad and numerous academy players are on international duty, a core group remains available. This includes Mason Mount, Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt, along with injured players such as Harry Maguire—who suffered a back spasm against Villa—Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford.
Carrick granted his players a day off on Monday but scheduled training sessions for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The squad is not due to report back until 17 November, by which time the international contingent should begin returning and preparations for the Liverpool fixture on 22 November can commence.
"Obviously some of the boys will be flying off around the world and different things, and the group will be split for 10 days or so, but as a normal international week is, we'll have some training and we'll have one or two days off. Not too much. But we'll train and get ready for the next game,"Carrick said following the Villa match.
After the 4-4 draw with Aston Villa, Carrick indicated he expected to continue working through the international break and would not resign. However, his position remains precarious as the Monaco meeting approaches.
Who might be discussed as a possible replacement for Carrick?
If discussions proceed as anticipated, identifying Carrick's successor will become a priority. Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as a leading contender and is known to be interested in the position. United have approached the former Tottenham, PSG and Chelsea manager on three separate occasions—when Jose Mourinho was dismissed in 2018, when Ten Hag was selected in 2022, and again when Ten Hag departed.
The primary obstacle is Pochettino's current role as head coach of the United States national team. He renewed his contract in August and faces a two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against Haiti within the coming week. The 54-year-old Argentine is scheduled to address the media on Friday and carries a $10 million (£7.5 million) release clause in his contract.
Eddie Howe, the former Newcastle manager, is currently available. BBC Sport has reported that compensation due to Newcastle if Manchester United appointed the 48-year-old would be £3 million at present, though this figure diminishes as the season progresses and would reach zero by summer.
Antonio Conte is also believed to be interested in the position. The 57-year-old Italian possesses Premier League title-winning experience at Chelsea and recently secured Serie A with Napoli before departing the club. Julian Nagelsmann stepped down as Germany manager following their World Cup last-32 exit and won the Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich in 2022-23, though the 39-year-old German has limited recent club experience.
Kieran McKenna, who was part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's coaching team at Manchester United before departing Ipswich after four-and-a-half years this summer, is considered less likely. The 40-year-old Northern Irishman is viewed as lacking the extensive experience United would prefer in a replacement.
What happens next?
Carrick's future is scheduled to be determined on Wednesday, 11 November, with the manager remaining in post and due to conduct training on Tuesday. United's hierarchy plans to use the international break to evaluate the season and reassess its options, rather than rush a decision on Carrick. United are scheduled to visit Liverpool on 22 November, followed by a Champions League away fixture against Sporting CP on 25 November. The outcome of the Monaco meeting will determine whether Carrick leads the team into these fixtures or whether a new manager takes charge.
