Julian Nagelsmann and Eddie Howe are reportedly the two leading contenders to replace embattled Michael Carrick following Manchester United’s 3-0 Premier League loss to Bournemouth.
According to widespread reports in the UK, Carrick is on the brink of being sacked after struggling United were swept aside by Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Monday (AEDT).
Bruno Fernandes was demoted to the bench and was an unused substitute after the captain seemingly calling out Carrick’s tactics following United’s humiliating 4-1 loss to Como in the UEFA Champions League midweek.
United have now gone eight games without a win in all competitions, leaving the fallen English giants 16th in the Premier League and just one point above the relegation zone.
“It’s a tough situation, there’s no hiding from it. What it looks like and what’s next I really don’t know,” Carrick told Sky Sports post-game. “I will always do my best for the football club and I won’t change that now. I love what I do and I feel the responsibility – we’ll have to wait and see.”
Carrick completed a lap of the pitch after the final whistle as the Old Trafford crowd chanted his name, while they booed the United players.
The embattled United boss and former star denied it was a goodbye.
“It wasn’t a farewell from me. I’ve got mixed emotions, I’m feeling it for my players, they’re going through a tough spell,’ he said. :Some of it we can help, some of it the situation unravels and the boys are feeling it at the moment.
“Mixed emotions for the supporters to respond in that way. To have that connection with the supporters it’s mixed emotions, it’ll take a bit of time to digest but I certainly appreciate their support. The situation is where we are and we haven’t had results or performances that have been good enough.”
According to the Guardian’s football correspondent Jamie Jackson, Eddie Howe remains the preferred candidate of football director Jason Wilcox at Old Trafford.
The 48-year-old has been out of management since leaving Newcastle United in July and is reportedly interested in discussing the Old Trafford position should it become available.
Former Germany and Bayern Munich head coach Julian Nagelsmann is highly regarded by United’s director of recruitment Christopher Vivell, but Wilcox’s view may hold more sway with Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who controls football policy at Old Trafford.
Sky adds that Nagelsmann and Howe are the two frontrunners to replace Carrick.
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery and Italian Antonio Conte have also been considered by United but they aren’t thought to be among the current favourites, with Emery committed to the Villa project, reports Sky.
Carrick is yet to be sacked but the Guardian’s Jamie Jackson said United are in “crisis talks” over the ex-England international’s future.
The Red Devils have collected just seven points from their opening eight Premier League matches, their worst return at this stage of a season since 1986-87.
United have also won only twice in 12 matches across all competitions this season.
United legend and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville said: “It’s going to get ridiculously difficult for Michael Carrick to be Manchester United manager moving forward.
“It’s horrible to say that. I played with him, I know him.”
“The Manchester United fans are singing the Michael Carrick song because I think they know what’s going to happen here. They’ve seen this before,” he continued.
“He’s one of their own and he’s popular. But the owners, the sporting department, and the players are not popular.
“They have badly let this football club down and those two (Berrada and Wilcox) are probably going to make a decision that will disgust Manchester United fans, but is probably necessary.
“It’s just an absolute mess. The football club is a mess right now.”
Sky Sports pundit and former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher added: “He doesn’t want to be sitting in the dugout again for Manchester United with those players. He doesn’t. What we’re watching now is a situation where it becomes untenable for everybody.
“Can you imagine going into the training ground tomorrow and facing Bruno Fernandes after not bringing him on in that situation? It’s a rancid dressing room.
“He doesn’t want to be involved in that. He wants to be put out of his misery tonight.”