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Head Coach Michael Carrick of Manchester United may not meet Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta in his role again(Image: Zohaib Alam - MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Michael Carrick’s days appear to be numbered at Manchester United, with widespread reports suggesting the club legend turned head coach is set to be relieved of his duties before the Premier League clash with Liverpool following the international break. No decision has yet been taken on a replacement, but work is believed to have been undertaken to identify and consider candidates.
Arsenal are yet to face United this season, still reeling from their shock defeat to Carrick at the Emirates Stadium last season. The Gunners have opened a 19-point gap after just ten games, with Arsenal top of the league and United down in 18th and sitting in the relegation zone.
As with any major managerial change at the big six clubs, there are always questions of how it might affect the likes of Arsenal. With that said, football.london takes a look at what an exit of Carrick means for the Gunners.
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Mikel Arteta and Michael Carrick have faced each other just twice, and the two games came more than four years apart. The first interim role Carrick held before Ralf Rangnick took over saw United win 3-2 at Old Trafford.
The scoreline would be repeated at the Emirates last season as the champions in waiting were stunned on their way to winning the big prize. As a result of Carrick leaving United, Arteta would be denied the chance of earning a revenge win – wherever Carrick goes next will be unlikely to carry the same satisfaction should the two meet again.
With Carrick gone, it requires a new man in charge and the key favourites are currently former Spurs and Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, ex-Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe and the most recent German head coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Arteta has never faced Nagelsmann, while he has never lost to a Pochettino side, winning one and drawing the other. Against Howe, Arteta had 14 meetings, winning seven, losing five and drawing two, edging the record.
Howe might therefore be the biggest worry for Arteta over the other pair. However, any coach who takes over is taking on what many coin a poisoned chalice at United with few if any able to get a real tune since Sir Alex Ferguson left.
With a new manager will come the want for investment at Old Trafford. Arsenal have gone head-to-head over the years for players including Lisandro Martinez, Declan Rice, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, Mason Mount, Viktor Gyokeres and Jurrien Timber.
There is little doubt that those on the list who made the switch to North London have come out looking far better with a Premier League title to their name. If Arteta was to engage in a transfer battle with any new United coach, there is no question the Spaniard would have the edge in offering the better chance of winning major silverware.