Manchester United are deciding whether to make a mid-season change, with Michael Carrick expecting to be in the dugout for the Premier League fixture with Bournemouth on Sunday, GIVEMESPORT understands.

Carrick has come under pressure in the wake of the 4-1 Champions League thrashing at the hands of tournament new boys Como on Wednesday night.

Led by former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas, the Italian condemning United to a seventh straight game without a win in all competitions. The last time that happened, Carrick was a Manchester United player in 2025.

And, as is often the case in situations such as this, United are succession-planning in the event that they decide to make a change. This is not the same as interviewing, nor is it a guarantee a change will be made.

After a successful interim period in charge at Old Trafford in the second half of the 2025/26 campaign, during which time United had a better Premier League record than eventual champions Arsenal, things have gone south at the start of the 2026/27 campaign since Carrick was placed in permanent charge.

Michael Carrick Man Utd timeline

• January 13, 2026 - Carrick named interim Manchester United manager after sacking of Ruben Amorim
• January 17, 2026 - Carrick oversees win over rivals Manchester City in first game in charge
• May 22, 2026 - Carrick named permanent Manchester United manager
• August 22, 2026 - United lose against new boys Hull City on the opening day of the 2026/27 Premier League season
• October 21, 2026 - United beaten by Como 4-1 in the Champions League - their seventh game without a win in all competitions

United sit 13th in the Premier League table, two points above the bottom three and 20th in the Champions League table, only above the elimination places on goal difference after three gameweeks.

United are well-prepared in case a change needs to be made despite sources for weeks wanting to back Carrick.

Fabian Hurzeler intends to stay at Brighton

However, GMS can reveal that one name, that has been linked with the job, plans to stay at his current club.

Fabian Hurzeler has done an incredible job at Brighton & Hove Albion. The free-scoring Seagulls sit third in the Premier League table after seven games, beating reigning champions Arsenal 3-0 in the process. They are the league's highest scorers with 23 goals, with Hurzeler rising further in stock.

GMS understands that while the 33-year-old German has plenty of admirers within Old Trafford, he is not open to leaving the south coast club mid-season. And his contract does not contain a release clause.

Former Germany national coach Julian Nagelsmann, now a free agent, is a leading contender for the job should Carrick depart. He is open to the role, according to sources.

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery was in United's thinking in the summer and formed part of the process before Carrick was eventually handed the reins permanently. GMS understands that he would still need some convincing to leave Villa Park, having been given significant control in the market. That's despite a summer of high-profile exists.

Antonio Conte is out of work after leaving Napoli in the summer and is another who has regularly been linked with the Old Trafford hotseat. The Italian, alongside the likes of Eddie Howe, Simone Inzaghi and the man in the opposing dugout on Wednesday, Fabregas, are among the other names appreciated by the United hierarchy.