Under-fire Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has arrived at Carrington after chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox held talks over his future.
The popular former Red Devils midfielder not only steadied the ship after Ruben Amorim‘s rocky reign but also helped change its course. His January arrival inspired the side’s rise to third in the Premier League.
Carrick’s impressive stint earned him a two-year deal to stay on as United boss, but just five months later he faces the sack following Sunday’s 3-0 Old Trafford loss to Bournemouth.
Talks over the managerial situation followed that defeat and continued after Berrada and Wilcox arrived at the Carrington training complex on Monday morning, the Press Association understands.
Carrick arrived at the training ground shortly before 2 p.m., as United’s Under-21s took on Hull in a behind closed doors friendly. Hull are the side that helped ensure United got their Premier League season off to a nightmare start.
Replacements Considered
Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann are potential replacements for Carrick, sources said.
Carrick’s side are without a win in eight games after the Bournemouth defeat, which came days after a 4-1 Champions League loss at Como. United have won just two of their 12 matches in all competitions this season. Their seven-point return from eight matches is their worst start to a season since 1986.
The side sit just a point above the relegation zone in 16th place ahead of Saturday’s trip to Chelsea. They then head into the international break with home games against Roma and Aston Villa.
Fans Turn Anger on the Owners
Carrick sidestepped questions about his future after the Bournemouth defeat. He appeared to know the writing was on the wall, however, as he waved to the crowd and patted his chest when he left the pitch. Fans supportively chanted his name.
The Old Trafford faithful directed their anger elsewhere, at the Glazers, co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the Ineos set-up and United director of football Wilcox.
Players were booed at the final whistle and then fiercely as they followed Carrick down the tunnel. It was a day when the manager left captain Bruno Fernandes on the bench.
Fernandes Under Scrutiny
The 32-year-old has been a pale imitation of the player who won last season’s Professional Footballers’ Association and Football Writers’ Association awards. The frustrated captain has questioned the manager’s tactics since the Como defeat.
Carrick described the decision to drop Fernandes as a “pure football” call made before the match, rather than a punishment, but he decided against giving the skipper a minute on the pitch.
Fernandes was also at Carrington on Monday, a day off for the players, to receive what is understood to be pre-planned treatment.
The skipper’s eye-catching remarks in Italy came a week after Lisandro Martínez was fined and brought in for talks. He had criticised the club hierarchy in a set of stunning interviews after the loss at Atlético Madrid.