Michael Carrick has faced back-to-back blows with the Leeds defeat followed by Andoni Iraola confirming to leave Bournemouth.
Manchester United are still firm favourites to qualify for the Champions League next season, but the Leeds defeat was an unexpected setback.
They need to pick themselves up because the next three games – Brentford, Chelsea, and Liverpool – are against their direct rivals for those spots.
Andoni Iraola’s announcement of his decision to leave Bournemouth in the summer also complicates matters for Michael Carrick, so Romano has shared the latest on the situation.
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With six games remaining, where do you now think Man Utd will finish?
Michael Carrick watching his Man Utd side play Leeds
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How Man Utd feel about Michael Carrick now
Carrick was increasingly looking like the runaway favourite to land the permanent Man Utd manager job, but that train has lost some steam of late.
United have won just one of their last four games, and it’s only because teams around them keep dropping points that they remain favourites for third position.
Ineos were being patient with Carrick in anticipation of this scenario, which has unfortunately come to fruition.
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Romano, speaking on his YouTube channel, has shared the latest on the developing situation.
He said: “After the Leeds defeat, which was impacted by the referees, Man Utd remain feeling really positive about Carrick.
“They’re very happy with his attitude, tactical decisions, approach, and the relationship he has with the dressing room.
“They want to be in the UCL next season, so that remains the target for Carrick in the next six games, which is when United will make the decision on the permanent manager.”
Andoni Iraola intends to compete with Carrick
Romano went on to say that while there are no active negotiations between Iraola and Man Utd right now, the Spaniard would very much fancy the job at Old Trafford.
Where does Andoni Iraola rank for you among Michael Carrick alternatives?
Would you want Iraola at Old Trafford, now he is ready for a new challenge?
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He said: “If you ask me, would Andoni Iraola like to be the next Man Utd manager this summer or in the future, I’m told that he would be open to that for sure.”
He adds that Athletic Bilbao, widely considered to be Iraola’s eventual landing spot after Bournemouth, is close to being ruled out as Edin Terzic is lined up for that job.
Furthermore, Iraola would like to stay in the Premier League, so United immediately becomes a key potential destination.
Still, it looks like the job is Carrick’s to lose, and UCL qualification will see him get it. If he doesn’t, then Iraola is eager for a shot.
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