Manchester United weigh Michael Carrick’s future after Bournemouth defeat

Manchester United’s hierarchy are holding crisis talks over Michael Carrick’s future after a 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth, with The Guardian reporting that the club expects to dismiss the head coach. Carrick said after the match that he was not expecting to be removed, leaving the timing and final decision unresolved in the supplied reports. Bournemouth scored through Rayan, Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson to inflict United’s sixth defeat in 12 matches in all competitions.

The loss left the club 16th in the Premier League, with only one league victory this season. ABC News Australia described the team’s run as eight matches without a win. The defeat followed a 4-1 Champions League loss at Como, after which captain Bruno Fernandes criticised Carrick’s tactics, according to ABC.

Carrick left Fernandes out of the starting lineup against Bournemouth and said the decision was made for football reasons. Fernandes warmed up but remained an unused substitute. Carrick was given a supportive reception by sections of the home crowd at the final whistle.

He applauded supporters and patted his chest before walking down the tunnel, while players following him were booed. ABC said the fans did not direct the same criticism at Carrick, although The Guardian reported that the manager’s job was nevertheless in serious danger. “I’m not expecting anything in particular,” Carrick said when asked about his position, according to The Guardian.

He added that he loved the club and would continue doing what was best for it. He also said his walk around the pitch was not a farewell, though he acknowledged that the situation was difficult. Eddie Howe is the preferred replacement candidate of Jason Wilcox, United’s director of football, The Guardian reported.

Unai Emery is also admired, but bringing him from Aston Villa could cost about £20m in compensation, while former Germany and Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann is highly regarded by recruitment chief Christopher Vivell. Antonio Conte was also mentioned as a possible option. Any dismissal could not be announced immediately because United would first need to inform the New York Stock Exchange, which was closed at the weekend.

The Guardian said a similar procedural issue delayed the announcement of Ruben Amorim’s dismissal in January. The pressure extends beyond the manager. ABC reported that supporters also chanted against Wilcox and the Glazer family, while The Guardian said Harry Maguire insisted the squad remained behind Carrick.

Maguire nevertheless conceded that the players were not performing well enough and needed to improve the basics. United’s defeat exposed both an immediate managerial crisis and wider dissatisfaction around the club. The available reports do not confirm that Carrick has been sacked, but they establish that his position is under active review and that Howe is currently the leading reported alternative.