MANCHESTER UNITED chiefs left Michael Carrick in a state of limbo on Monday night after hours of crisis talks over his job.
A stung Old Trafford hierarchy is refusing to pull the trigger on a sacking until they have a clear plan in place.
Carrick’s job is in serious doubt ten months after replacing Ruben Amorim following a day of emergency talks at the club’s Carrington training base.
Director of football Jason Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada were locked in discussions on Monday with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co-chairs Avram and Joel Glazer dialing in via video link.
It could mean Carrick takes training when United’s players report back on Tuesday morning following a standard day off after a match.
As things stand, Carrick expects to lead training to begin preparations for their next game at Chelsea on Saturday, unless he is dragged in before then.
Carrick spent three hours at United’s Carrington training base on Monday afternoon to watch the reserves draw 2-2 against Hull City in a behind-closed-doors friendly.
Former Newcastle boss Eddie Howe and ex-Bayern and Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann are among the options should Carrick be sacked.
United’s top brass are well aware of the embarrassment of appointing a third manager this year after six defeats in 12 matches, and a fourth since Ratcliffe took charge of football operations in February 2024.
Sunday’s shameful 3-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth left the club just a point above the drop and the Amazon documentary could find themselves covering a relegation scrap this season.
It emerged on Monday that United would have to pay a few million in compensation to land Howe under the terms of his exit from Newcastle in July.
The 48-year-old had several years left on his contract at St James’ Park when he stepped down in the summer. The Toon brought in a degree of protection in the event that he ended up at a rival in the months that followed. Unai Emery and Fabian Hurzeler have admirers at Old Trafford but it would be expensive to prise them away from Aston Villa and Brighton, respectively
Former Chelsea and Spurs manager Antonio Conte is open to returning to football after leaving Napoli in June. Carrick signed a two-year contract after guiding the club back into the Champions League in May.
The Stretford End hurled a tirade of abuse at the Glazers, Ratcliffe and board between spells of singing Carrick’s chant loudly and booing the players.
The bookies have suspended the betting on Carrick. He is also at loggerheads with club captain Bruno Fernandes after dropping the reigning player of the year and refusing to bring him on against Bournemouth. Fernandes seemed to respond with a veiled dig at Carrick on Sunday night when he liked a cryptic Instagram post that read: “Never push a loyal person to the point where they no longer care”.
Fernandes was also at Carrington on Monday for treatment along with Benjamin Sesko, Patrick Dorgu and Manuel Ugarte. – Sun
