Manchester United’s head coach Michael Carrick has returned to the Carrington training complex after the club’s chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox met to discuss his future. The former Red Devil midfielder, who steadied the team after Ruben Amorim’s brief spell and guided United to a third‑place finish in the Premier League following his January appointment, now faces a possible dismissal after the 3‑0 defeat to Bournemouth at Old Trafford.
Carrick arrived at the training ground just before 2 p.m. on Monday, as the under‑21s prepared for a behind‑closed‑doors friendly against Hull. The match, which had helped United start the season poorly, was the first game after the club’s 4‑1 Champions League loss to Como. United have won only two of their 12 matches across all competitions this term, and their seven‑point return from eight games marks the worst start to a season since 1986. The team sits 16th in the Premier League, a single point above the relegation zone, and faces a home game against Chelsea before the international break.
Sources told ESPN that the club is considering Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann as potential replacements for Carrick. The decision to explore alternatives came after the loss to Bournemouth, which ended a run of eight games without a win. Carrick sidestepped questions about his future during the post‑match press conference, but his exit from the pitch was marked by a wave to the crowd and a chest‑pat, while supporters chanted his name in a show of support. The anger from the fans, however, was directed at the club’s ownership and management structure, with boos aimed at the Glazers, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and the Ineos‑run United hierarchy.
The club’s poor form has also put pressure on its players. Bruno Fernandes, the team captain, was left on the bench for the Bournemouth match and later received treatment at Carrington on a day off for the squad. His comments in Italy after the Como defeat, where he questioned the manager’s tactics, added to the unrest. Meanwhile, Lisandro Martínez was fined and brought in for talks following a series of critical interviews after the loss to Atlético Madrid.
With the season’s trajectory in doubt, United’s board is reportedly weighing a managerial change. If Carrick departs, the club will need to decide quickly on a successor to steer the team away from the bottom of the table and back into competitive form for the remaining fixtures. The outcome of these discussions will shape United’s strategy for the rest of the campaign.