Michael Carrick applauding supporters at Old Trafford
Michael Carrick applauding supporters at Old Trafford
Carrick has been walking the tightrope at Old Trafford for several weeks after overseeing a horrific start to the new season.
The Red Devils have won just one of their first nine Premier League games of the campaign and are hovering just above the relegation zone right now.
Carrick managed to buy himself more time by guiding his side to a 3-2 Champions League win over Roma in midweek.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, he is still one defeat away from being relieved of his duties as Villa visit Old Trafford this weekend.
Unai Emery has been touted as a potential replacement for the United boss, but is currently in talks over signing a new contract at Villa Park.
Michael Carrick must guide Man United to a win vs Aston Villa
United supporters are still vocally behind Carrick and have instead being directing their hostility towards their struggling group of players during and after matches.
They will be in 15th place or below regardless of Sunday's result against Villa, with Carrick possibly set to be relieved of his duties if the visitors incur a heavy defeat on their hosts.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "It was a much-needed win against Roma in midweek. We’ll probably know more after this weekend about whether it was a turning point, that win against Roma, or was it a false storm, when they come up against Aston Villa.
"If they lose that game against Aston Villa, and lose it badly, it’s just going to heap the pressure even more on Carrick, and then you've got the dreaded international break where it gives the board a chance to make changes.
"Obviously, the fans are still behind him as well, which is, I think, a key point for the United hierarchy, that they haven’t turned on Carrick. I think this weekend’s game will be huge and if they lose it he will likely be sacked."
Carrick is the current favourite to be sacked next in the Premier League
Several other Premier League managers are under pressure at their respective clubs, but it remains to be seen which board will swing the axe first this season.
Carrick leads the way among top UK bookmakers for the most likely manager to be sacked next, at best odds of 5/4.