Michael Carrick, manager of Manchester United
Michael Carrick, manager of Manchester United
Hello and welcome to our Manchester United live blog.
The second international break of the season is upon us, offering a reprieve for Michael Carrick. However, it remains to be seen whether he'll still be in charge by the time domestic football resumes.
A wretched start to the season has only got worse in recent weeks. United remain without a win in the Premier League since August's 5-2 thumping of Ipswich Town.
They tasted victory in the Champions League last week with the comeback against Roma and snatched a last-gasp point against Aston Villa for a rare unbeaten week. But Sunday's 4-4 draw once again exposed several defensive frailties.
There are plenty of questions surrounding Old Trafford, and we'll look to bring you the answers as and when we get them as Mauricio Pochettino becomes the latest big-name manager to be linked with the job.
Stay tuned for all the latest United news...
Old Trafford made their voices heard
As well as more protests against the club's ownership on Sunday, those in attendance once again backed their boss. "It's Carrick, you know," was heard loudly from the Stretford End as he and his players exited the pitch.
They've seen this script time and time again and don't want their former midfielder to be the fall guy.
How Carrick's stay of execution went
After back-to-back defeats to Como and Bournemouth - 4-1 and 3-0 respectively - it looked for all the world that Carrick would be sacked. But talks at Carrington two weeks ago today resulted in a stay of execution.
The sentiment appeared to be that he'd get until this international break to see if there was any improvement. A lack of replacement options, mixed with the unideal timing, perhaps saved his job.
Since then, United were beaten 2-0 by Chelsea, came back from two goals down against Roma to win, and then snatched a late point against Villa. 1W, 1D, 1L - is that enough? That's the question no doubt being asked in the United boardroom.
Read into it what you will, but there isn't the same fervour and uncertainty around Carrick's position on this Monday morning as there was two weeks ago, when we had already seen Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox arriving at Carrington.
I'm told things are 'quiet' around the club at the moment and there is no sense anything is imminent, but there is no doubt discussions will be going on as to what direction to turn.
Carrick sounded like a man who was confident he was staying on Sunday and at the moment that is what the evidence suggests. If United are to make a change, however, then they need to get the ball rolling quickly.
Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick
Carrick's stance clear
As far as the man himself is concerned, it's back me or sack me, because he won't be walking away from his dream job. Asked by Sky Sports if he'll be handing in his notice, Carrick replied: "I'm not.
"I'm quite clear with what direction the club needs to go in, and it's got to win games. We haven't won enough games, but I expect to move forward and keep working on the things that we've been working on and showing a lot of the good in the game today, tighten up on a few mistakes and win football matches."
United 'eye another coach'
If Carrick does stay in charge, TEAMtalk claim his bosses will look to lend him a hand by employing a new coach to his staff. The top target would be Aaron Danks.
That appears ambitious given he's currently assistant to Vincent Kompany at Bayern Munich. But the 43-year-old worked with Carrick at Middlesbrough.
The current United backroom staff consists of Steve Holland, Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans, Travis Binnion and Craig Mawson. They all signed deals until 2028 when Carrick was appointed permanently.
The bookies' odds always need to be taken with a pinch of salt but Mauricio Pochettino briefly raced past Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann to become the favourite to replace Carrick.
The Argentine is under contract as head coach of the United States until 2030. He only agreed an extension back in August after their impressive World Cup campaign on home soil.
But someone somewhere fancies his chances, with his odds dropping as low as 2/1. Howe has been hovering around the same mark, while Nagelsmann is as low as 4/1.
Monday meeting planned
The club's hierarchy will meet on Monday to once again discuss Carrick's future, it's been claimed. The situation surrounding the United boss remains unclear.
According to Football Insider, a fresh review will take place today. It was already in the diary prior to the Villa draw, with Carrick given a stay of execution prior to the second international break of the season.
Talks at Carrington will ultimately end with director of football Jason Wilcox having the final say. If United are to wield the axe, it would be wise to do so at the start of the break to begin preparations for his replacement.