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Michael Carrick is hanging on by a thread as Manchester United manager after club bosses held a round of crisis talks on Monday. The former Red Devils midfielder was widely expected to be sacked in the aftermath of Sunday's chastening defeat at the hands of Bournemouth. That result marked United's eighth successive game without victory in all competitions, leaving them firmly in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
It seemed that Carrick's position had become untenable after Sunday's defeat, but he appears to have been granted an unexpected stay of execution.
Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox arrived at Carrington on Monday morning to hold talks over Carrick's future.
A few hours later, the under-fire boss arrived to watch United's under-21 side play a behind-closed-doors match against Hull City. He spent just over three hours at the training ground before leaving with his son, Jacey.
The first-team players were given a day off, apart from a select few who attended to receive treatment for injuries. Bruno Fernandes was among them despite not playing a single minute against Bournemouth on the weekend.
It later emerged that Carrick would be leading Tuesday's training session ahead of United's next game against Chelsea on Saturday afternoon.
There is still every chance that he could be sacked before then, but as things stand, the 45-year-old remains in charge of the Red Devils.
If he is axed, it would leave United needing to appoint their eighth permanent manager since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.
According to The Athletic, some insiders believe that United bosses backing Carrick could break that cycle of constant change in the dugout.
The report adds that financial factors might also be at play, namely the cost of sacking the 45-year-old just four months into a two-year contract, combined with the inevitable exits of his backroom staff.
However, those in command at Old Trafford have already started thinking about potential replacements. Director of football Jason Wilcox is eager to appoint Eddie Howe, who is still available following his Newcastle exit in the summer.
Howe is reportedly eager to take over at United should the opportunity arise, but it's been reported that a move for his signature would cost millions in compensation.
The former Magpies boss was on around £6m a year at St James' Park and serving a multi-year deal that was extended in summer 2024, meaning Newcastle would be due a significant payment.
It's also been claimed that Howe would want to bring his entire backroom team with him if he is approached by United. It remains to be seen if that would prove a sticking point in negotiations.
Meanwhile, head of recruitment Christopher Vivell reportedly favours the idea of appointing Julian Nagelsmann, the former Germany manager who left his role after the recent World Cup.
Antonio Conte has also been linked with the United job, having recently issued a cryptic statement making it clear that he was open to returning to work.
The final decision will have to be approved by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who controls football operations at United.
According to The Sun, he maintains that United should be represented by a homegrown head coach where possible, which suggests that Howe would be his preferred option.
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