REUTERS/Chris Radburn
Manchester United suffered yet another defeat in the Premier League under Michael Carrick, thanks to Xabi Alonso's Chelsea side.
The Blues claimed all three points thanks to second half goals from Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer, with Lisandro Martinez being sent off for two yellow cards in four minutes between the two goals.
It means that United have now won just two of their 13 games in all competitions this season, while they are winless in their last nine games, their longest run since 1988/89 under Sir Alex Ferguson. But INEOS only have themselves to blame at this point, having handed the iconic midfielder another chance to be in the dugout this week, despite major speculation over his job.
United held crisis talks following the 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth last week, but INEOS and the board opted to keep Carrick in the job for the trip to west London, with full focus on turning the team's fortunes around rather than making another change.
However, despite an improved performance before the red card, it was yet another defeat where the players seemed to phone it in, and it's evident that Carrick is not the man who should be leading this team forward anymore.
The Reds will have to get back on the pitch on Tuesday night when they face Serie A outfit Roma at Old Trafford in the Champions League, before hosting Aston Villa the following weekend ahead of the international break. United will then travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool in the first game back after that break.
Liverpool began the 2025/26 Premier League season as defending champions.
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But if Carrick is still in the dugout for those games, then it's very difficult to see how United are going to pick up any sort of positive result at all, which is essentially throwing valuable points away when they don't have to.
GIVEMESPORT sources understand that there are a number of candidates being considered for the role to replace Carrick should a change be made, with Eddie Howe at the top of the list. But there are also some within the club who like Julian Naglesmann, and the German is believed to be open to taking the job too.
A Horizontal Bar Chart Depicting Man Utd 202627 Premier League Record Including Wins, Draws and Losses (1)
Contact Already Made for Nagelsmann Appointment
Julian Nagelsmann during Germany vs Paraguay at the 2026 World Cup
Reports emerged earlier this month that Man Utd have already made contact with Nagelsmann's camp about potentially taking over as manager, and he has responded positively.
As things stand, however, senior staff at the club are yet to agree unanimously on who should be the next manager, which has played a part in Carrick being given a stay of execution.
But with Nagelsmann clearly a top candidate for the role and ready to step in if called upon, INEOS should be doing everything they can to get him in quickly and turn the season around. There is still so much to play for, and a coach with the quality and experience of 39-year-old would be a game-changing appointment.
Thomas Tuchel has described him as 'exceptional', while Jurgen Klopp is known to be a big fan too.
Something needs to change, and the longer Carrick is the manager of the team, the less chance there is of turning things around and saving the season.
Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick