BBC: United board yet to decide on Carrick
Manchester United went into the break with the team in 18th place in the Premier, after drawing 4‑4 against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday. The ‘Red Devils’, led by Michael Carrick, are recording their worst start in ten rounds since 1986‑87. According to the BBC, the board has not yet made a definitive decision about the future of Carrick.
Ian Hodgson captured the image of Michael Carrick during the match against Aston Villa. The report comes from the international football sphere.
Board decisions and the future of Carrick
After the 0‑3 defeat to Bournemouth on October 25, the hierarchy decided to give Carrick more time to try to turn the situation around. Following the matches against Chelsea (2‑0 loss), Roma (3‑2 win) and Aston Villa (4‑4), the board will analyze the situation during the international break.
United will travel to Liverpool on November 22 for the Premier’s resumption, remaining in the relegation zone. The board also believes that coming back from 0‑2 three times in the last two games shows the players’ confidence in Carrick. According to the BBC, the board considered sacking Carrick after the Bournemouth defeat and floated Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann as possible replacements.
After the 4‑4 draw with Aston Villa, Carrick said he would not resign. Omar Berrada, chief executive, and Jason Wilcox, sporting director, will have a decisive say on the continuation of Carrick, according to the cited source.
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Five of United’s next seven Premier opponents are in the lower part of the table, including the four teams occupying the bottom spots: Coventry, Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and Sunderland.
Economic impact of a possible relegation
If United were relegated to the Championship in the 2027‑28 season, the revenue loss would be estimated between £227.6 million and £302.6 million. The actual revenue for fiscal year 2026 was £677.6 million. In the Championship, revenues are projected between £375 million and £450 million. Broadcast revenues, currently £206.8 million, would fall to between £55 million and £65 million in the second division.
Matchday revenues, which amount to £153.5 million, would be reduced to between £100 million and £125 million. Commercial revenues, now £317.3 million, would fall to between £220 million and £260 million. In total, revenues would drop from £677.6 million to between £375 million and £450 million. These figures for the Championship are estimates based on typical parachute payments and second‑division revenues, not club confirmations.
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Even with a record revenue of £677.6 million, United posted a pre‑tax loss of £43 million in the 2026 financial year, after finishing third in the Premier 2025‑26 and implementing cost cuts. The drop in broadcast revenue is due to the loss of Premier League TV contracts. Matchday revenues would decline because of lower ticket prices and fewer high‑value games, although playing 23 home games instead of 19 and a possible playoff phase could partially offset the impact. Commercial contracts would suffer from performance clauses, making a wave of player sales inevitable to mitigate the financial blow.