Michael Carrick on the sidelines at Old Trafford, with Jim Ratcliffe in a circular inset
Michael Carrick on the sidelines at Old Trafford, with Jim Ratcliffe in a circular inset
Michael Carrick is expected to be sacked by Manchester United in the next days after his position was left untenable at the end of a calamitous week for the club.
While no formal announcement has been made, and sources suggest his future is still being considered by the board, there is a growing feeling he cannot retain his position.
Replacements are already being considered behind the scenes, and a 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford against Bournemouth may have put the final nail in his coffin.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that despite hopes he could turn things around, there is likely no way back for Carrick after recent results.
The Red Devils have won just two of their 12 games so far this season, with only one from eight in the Premier League, in what has been their worst-ever start to a season.
While Carrick is not entirely to blame for the problems at Old Trafford, and has retained support from the fans, there is a feeling the board will be forced to pull the trigger.
Will Man United sack Michael Carrick?
Former Tottenham scout Bryan King told Football Insider on 15 October that Carrick could be sacked before the November international break, despite optimism he could hang on.
However, after a major downturn in performances and results, it looks like the boss will be let go sooner rather than later, with changes already being eyed up by the board.
Carrick is far from entirely to blame for Man United's issues, but will face the backlash for poor results which ultimately will cost him his job.
"It's a real shame for Michael Carrick, but results haven't been good enough," Brown told Football Insider.
"Sometimes it really is as simple as that, whatever the reasons for it may be, football is a results business and that is especially the case when you're managing a club like Man United.
"Their results have been miles off what they expect, and even though they were hoping he could turn things around, it looks like there is no way back at this stage.
"It has felt inevitable for a while, because if you're not winning games, not playing well, and not showing any signs of improvements, it's inevitable a decision will have to be made.
"After the Bournemouth game, I expect that decision will be made sooner rather than later, within days, but as I said, it is a real shame that things haven't worked out."
What other issues are Man United facing?
As previously mentioned, Carrick is far from the only problem at Man United and is unlikely to be the biggest of those problems, despite his expected departure.
Players are unhappy behind the scenes, both with the results and the way the club is run, with the board now facing stick from more than just the Old Trafford supporters.
Football Insider warned on 23 October that Man United are concerned about backlash against the board after multiple players came out to air their criticisms.
Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez, both key influences in the dressing room, have publicly levelled critisims at the board and the decision-makers behind the scenes.
Significant sections of the Red Devils dressing room are believed to be unhappy with how their season has gone so far, and are venting their grievances on and off the pitch