Manchester United technical director Jason Wilcox is likely to be sacked if Michael Carrick fails to turn things around at Old Trafford, according to a report.
The Red Devils have had a horrible start to the season with just two wins in 12 games in all competitions, while they are winless in their last eight following heavy defeats to Como and Bournemouth in the last week.
Those results had seen speculation pick up about the future of Carrick as manager, with the sack expected by many. But it emerged on Tuesday that the club had opted to give Carrick and the squad the chance to turn things around, and he will remain in charge for the weekend trip to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The decision has surprised many, with Carrick seemingly waving goodbye to fans at Old Trafford following the Bournemouth defeat, but the team are understood to be focused on getting back on the winning track and turning things around.
United will face Chelsea, Roma and Aston Villa before the November international break, and it's possible that the situation will be reviewed at that point, or potentially beforehand, if the results and performances don't see a major upturn.
However, according to BBC Sport, sources around the club feel that it is 'inevitable' that should Carrick end up losing his job then Wilcox will likely follow him out of the door.
Did it happen before or after?
Round 1 of 9
The belief is that three managerial changes inside three seasons, following the departures of Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim previously, would not reflect well on Wilcox, and with Lisandro Martinez also publicly criticising him recently, there is increased scrutiny around his role.
It's understood that there is some sympathy for the former Leeds and Blackburn player as he doesn't set the budgets for the transfer windows, but that is unlikely to save him if Carrick cannot complete a successful U-turn.
It's also noted in the report that Omar Berrada is also not necessarily safe from the sack, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe potentially looking at a wider overhaul of the senior staff at the club.
Man Utd Need a Total Reset
REUTERS/Scott Heppell
There is no doubt that the Man Utd squad and Michael Carrick are all severely underperforming in their duties at the moment, and big changes are needed.
But it's also fair to say that anyone paying attention will know that the issues stem from higher up. The Glazers have been a major problem for years at Old Trafford, and since INEOS have come in, they have caused problem after problem.
Their promise of being 'best in class' has been nothing but a facade, and a total reset from top to bottom is needed for United to get back to the top of English football.
The fans made it clear that they want a change in ownership, but with that being highly unlikely to happen any time soon, a change at board level is at least a start.
Manchester United boss Michael Carrick clapping
Manchester United boss Michael Carrick clapping