MICHAEL CARRICK REPORTED for training on Tuesday despite his days as Manchester United head coach appearing to be numbered as the club review his position and consider alternatives.
The Red Devils will spend the international break in the relegation zone after failing to add to August’s solitary Premier League win against Ipswich in Sunday’s 4-4 draw with Aston Villa.
United languish in 18th spot and are reviewing Carrick’s position as the club take stock during the November hiatus, the Press Association understands.
There is an expectation that the former midfielder will be sacked, but Old Trafford sources were insistent late on Monday evening that no decision had been made.
Carrick was pictured driving into United’s Carrington training ground on Tuesday morning, while United director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada are reported to be attending a meeting in Monaco.
United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, whose Ineos company controls football operations, is based in the principality and would sign off a change with the Glazers.
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Wilcox and Berrada seriously considered sacking Carrick a fortnight ago after the 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth compounded a calamitous 4-1 Champions League loss at Como.
The club eventually decided to give the head coach and his players the opportunity to turn the situation around before the international break.
Carrick’s side subsequently lost 2-0 at Chelsea, where they were unable to take their chances and saw Lisandro Martínez sent off, before last Tuesday’s 3-2 comeback win against Roma and Sunday’s 4-4 draw with Villa.
United have been considering whether that run merits him staying on and would have to push a manager who headed into the international break having stressed he would not walk away.
Asked if the November pause comes at a good time for the group, the under-fire United boss said: “Yeah, it’s been a right mixed week or two or three, really, if you’re looking at the events.
“But I’m pretty clear where we need to go and how we need to get there.
“Obviously some of the boys will be flying off around the world and different things, and the group will be split for 10 days or so.
“But as a normal international week is, you know, we’ll have some training. We’ll have one or two days off, but not too much. But we’ll train, and we’ll get ready for the next game.”
The final international break of the year would seem a logical time if United wanted to make a change, given there is no free midweek until mid-December after returning with a trip to rivals Liverpool on 22 November.
Mauricio Pochettino, the former Tottenham, Paris St Germain and Chelsea boss, has emerged as the leading contender to succeed Carrick.
The former Argentina defender is currently in charge of the United States national team, where he recently extended his deal until 2030 and is preparing to face Haiti in the Nations League quarter-finals.
Former Newcastle boss Eddie Howe and ex-Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann are also contenders to replace Carrick if the club decide a change in the Old Trafford hot seat is necessary.
Carrick’s future remains up in the air, but the head coach is steadfast in his belief that he can lead the embattled side up the standings having seen enough positives since the nadir of Bournemouth.
“Goals change games, and you’ve got to deal with it, and it’s part of something we have to improve on drastically,” Carrick said.
“But there’s more than enough. We’re just making it too difficult for ourselves at the moment in certain times.”
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Michael Carrick reports for training as Man Utd future hangs in balance
LAST UPDATE | 1 hr ago
MICHAEL CARRICK REPORTED for training on Tuesday despite his days as Manchester United head coach appearing to be numbered as the club review his position and consider alternatives.
The Red Devils will spend the international break in the relegation zone after failing to add to August’s solitary Premier League win against Ipswich in Sunday’s 4-4 draw with Aston Villa.
United languish in 18th spot and are reviewing Carrick’s position as the club take stock during the November hiatus, the Press Association understands.
There is an expectation that the former midfielder will be sacked, but Old Trafford sources were insistent late on Monday evening that no decision had been made.
Carrick was pictured driving into United’s Carrington training ground on Tuesday morning, while United director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada are reported to be attending a meeting in Monaco.
United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, whose Ineos company controls football operations, is based in the principality and would sign off a change with the Glazers.
Wilcox and Berrada seriously considered sacking Carrick a fortnight ago after the 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth compounded a calamitous 4-1 Champions League loss at Como.
The club eventually decided to give the head coach and his players the opportunity to turn the situation around before the international break.
Carrick’s side subsequently lost 2-0 at Chelsea, where they were unable to take their chances and saw Lisandro Martínez sent off, before last Tuesday’s 3-2 comeback win against Roma and Sunday’s 4-4 draw with Villa.
United have been considering whether that run merits him staying on and would have to push a manager who headed into the international break having stressed he would not walk away.
Asked if the November pause comes at a good time for the group, the under-fire United boss said: “Yeah, it’s been a right mixed week or two or three, really, if you’re looking at the events.
“But I’m pretty clear where we need to go and how we need to get there.
“Obviously some of the boys will be flying off around the world and different things, and the group will be split for 10 days or so.
“But as a normal international week is, you know, we’ll have some training. We’ll have one or two days off, but not too much. But we’ll train, and we’ll get ready for the next game.”
The final international break of the year would seem a logical time if United wanted to make a change, given there is no free midweek until mid-December after returning with a trip to rivals Liverpool on 22 November.
Mauricio Pochettino, the former Tottenham, Paris St Germain and Chelsea boss, has emerged as the leading contender to succeed Carrick.
The former Argentina defender is currently in charge of the United States national team, where he recently extended his deal until 2030 and is preparing to face Haiti in the Nations League quarter-finals.
Former Newcastle boss Eddie Howe and ex-Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann are also contenders to replace Carrick if the club decide a change in the Old Trafford hot seat is necessary.
Carrick’s future remains up in the air, but the head coach is steadfast in his belief that he can lead the embattled side up the standings having seen enough positives since the nadir of Bournemouth.
“Goals change games, and you’ve got to deal with it, and it’s part of something we have to improve on drastically,” Carrick said.
“But there’s more than enough. We’re just making it too difficult for ourselves at the moment in certain times.”
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