The Carrick Man Utd question is still open after the 4-1 Champions League defeat at Como. BBC Sport’s Simon Stone reports it remains to be seen whether the position around Michael Carrick changes before Sunday’s Premier League game against Bournemouth. The BBC does not report a decision or a dismissal.
Carrick Man Utd: what the BBC says
According to the BBC, Carrick was given a two-year contract after winning 12 of his 17 games in charge last season. That run took United back into the Champions League after two years away. However, the new campaign has unravelled. United are 13th in the Premier League, three points clear of bottom club Sunderland. It leaves the Carrick Man Utd situation unresolved heading into the weekend.
The BBC adds that United have not won in the league since beating Ipswich. Their only other win in 11 games in all competitions came against Sabah FK in the Champions League. As a result, they are now seven games without a win, their worst run since the eight under Louis van Gaal in late 2015.
United flew straight back to Manchester after the game, Stone says. Supporters also sang against the Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe during the match.
Carrick Man Utd: “I’m giving my absolute best”
Carrick spoke after the defeat. “There was a lot going through my mind watching that,” he said. “It was tough to watch. It wasn’t just the goals, if I’m totally honest. It was the manner and way we played at times.”
He then defended his own commitment as the Carrick Man Utd questions continued. “I’m giving my absolute best all the time, I care about it. My whole life is wrapped around it. It might go well, it might not go so well, but I genuinely give everything that I possibly can.”
Who takes the blame
The BBC says some have absolved both Carrick and sporting director Jason Wilcox of part of the blame. In Carrick’s case, the argument is that he was let down in the summer window. United signed three midfielders but did not bring in competition for Luke Shaw at left-back or Benjamin Sesko in attack. For Wilcox, the argument is that he worked to a budget set above him, including by chief executive Omar Berrada.
Meanwhile, the Carrick Man Utd debate also draws in the captain. Bruno Fernandes questioned the approach after the game, as we reported in our Como match report. For the squad picture, see our Como team news round-up and the latest on United’s defensive plans.
Carrick Man Utd: TEAMtalk reports no immediate change
Update, 22 October: TEAMtalk’s Graeme Bailey reports that United are not currently planning an immediate managerial change. The outlet, citing sources, says sporting director Jason Wilcox still backs Carrick at this stage. It adds that INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe would support Wilcox if he concluded a change was needed.
TEAMtalk also says the next four games are seen as significant, starting with Bournemouth at Old Trafford. Meanwhile, it claims alternative managerial options are being put to the club, and that representatives of Antonio Conte are pushing his case. These are TEAMtalk’s claims only. Manchester United have not made a statement, and the BBC reports it remains to be seen whether the position around Carrick changes.
Source: TEAMtalk (Graeme Bailey).
Source: BBC Sport (Simon Stone).
