Michael Carrick is expected to be in charge for Manchester United’s game against Bournemouth on Sunday, but the club have already begun identifying possible replacements, according to BBC Sport. The report, by Simon Stone, Sami Mokbel and Dan Roan, says Carrick is carrying on as normal and has not been made aware of any imminent change after the 4-1 defeat at Como. A Carrick stay for Bournemouth would keep him in charge while United weigh their options.
Carrick stay for Bournemouth: what the BBC says
BBC Sport says sources indicate Carrick has not been told of a change, and he is expected to take charge on Sunday. United are still to confirm arrangements for Friday’s planned news conference ahead of the game, and the players were given Thursday off. The BBC adds that this does not necessarily mean Carrick is safe, and says there remains major uncertainty over his future.
There are also signs of support for a Carrick stay for Bournemouth and beyond. Some senior figures at United, the BBC reports, feel that changing managers so often has failed to stop the club’s decline, and that Carrick has been let down by underperforming players. There is an appreciation in some quarters of the progress made last season and a view that he should be given more time.
Who could replace Carrick at Man Utd?
Even with a Carrick stay for Bournemouth expected on Sunday, the BBC says United are looking at options. According to the BBC, Eddie Howe, Antonio Conte and Julian Nagelsmann are understood to be interested in the job. It says Howe is available and would be considered, and that sources indicate he is open to returning to management with United. Unai Emery and Fabian Hurzeler are rated highly by those in charge at United, the BBC says, but extracting them from their clubs would be difficult. These are reports of interest and consideration only. Nothing has been agreed or offered, and United have not commented on any of the names.
The pressure followed Bruno Fernandes appearing to question the tactics at Como, which we covered in our Fernandes and Carrick reaction report. Our earlier piece on Carrick’s future after the Como defeat has the first BBC reporting, and our Como team news report covers who missed the trip. For later fixtures, see the December fixtures and TV changes. The Carrick stay for Bournemouth, if confirmed, comes against that backdrop.
Source: BBC Sport (Simon Stone, Sami Mokbel and Dan Roan), Carrick carrying on but senior Man Utd figures concerned by performances. The club has not confirmed any decision on the Carrick stay for Bournemouth.
