Carrick could exit United before Liverpool trip
Michael Carrick's time at Manchester United appears to be over, and the Red Devils are on the brink of a managerial change. According to The Athletic, the 20‑time English champion could be separated from his head coach during the upcoming international break, which would be a dismissal for the national manager before the team travels to Liverpool for an away match in twelve days.
Although no final decision has been made yet, internal consultations about possible successor candidates are already underway. In twelve days Manchester United faces Liverpool in the next Premier League fixture, where a new manager may already be on the touchline.
Candidates for the succession
The current US national team manager Mauricio Pochettino is considered by The Athletic to be the hottest candidate to succeed Carrick. Eddie Howe, former coach at Newcastle United, and former Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann also have admirers within the club. Didier Deschamps (unattached), Unai Emery (Aston Villa) and Fabian Hürzeler (Brighton & Hove Albion) have turned down the offer.
After the spectacular 4‑4 draw against Aston Villa, Carrick explicitly ruled out his own resignation. The 45‑year‑old Carrick took over United at the start of the year after the dismissal of Ruben Amorim and guided the team into the Champions League after twelve wins in the first 17 games.
Current form and pressure
Since the summer break Manchester United have recorded only one win in ten Premier League matchdays. The club sits on eight points in a relegation spot, the worst start to a season in its history. Since mid‑August there have been five draws and three defeats, without scoring another league goal.
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In the Champions League United recently managed to halt the downward trend. After two consecutive defeats the team celebrated a jubilant 3‑2 victory over AS Roma last week.
The Athletic reports that United currently sit in 18th place in the Premier League and that the numbers are hardly salvageable. So far there is only one league goal, three overall wins and a chaotic 4‑4 draw against Aston Villa in front of the Old Trafford crowd. Carrick was already in a precarious position after a 3‑0 defeat to Bournemouth, highlighting the management's hesitation.
Carrick was given the permanent managerial role in May after a strong interim period in which United rose from seventh to third and collected 39 points from 17 league games. During this phase the team recorded winning streaks against Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea. No other club in the league amassed more points during that period.
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The Carabao Cup exit against Brighton & Hove Albion reinforced the impression that structural deficiencies became apparent early in the season. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family must ultimately approve any final decision on the managerial change.