Michael Carrick's tenure at Manchester United looks set to come to an end after the defeat to Bournemouth

Manchester United look set to swing the axe once again as Michael Carrick falls under increasing pressure. The 45-year-old's tenure at Old Trafford is under threat just months after signing a two-year deal following a catastrophic week which featured a 4-1 defeat to Como and a 3-0 drubbing at home to Bournemouth.

United club officials arrived at Carrington on Monday with Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox set to undergo crisis talks over Carrick's future. The decision has been mulled over after their tepid 3-0 defeat to the Cherries on Sunday, as the full-time reaction felt that the outcome for Carrick was inevitable.

After putting on a defiant front on Friday, previewing Bournemouth's visit, their failings continued, and it leaves the former midfielder in a perilous position while potential successors line up to take the Old Trafford hotseat. United have a decision to make with a trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea this weekend.

Manchester Evening News writers have had their say on who should replace Carrick.

Kieran Horn

Regardless of who comes in to replace Michael Carrick, Manchester United are miles away from where they want to be.

Ultimately, until the people making the decision are removed, nothing will change but with the available candidates for not very inspiring, they could at least get one thing right and that would be going all out for Unai Emery.

He has earnt the right to have another crack at a big club following a number of brilliant years at Aston Villa. He must actually be given time to turn things around, however.

There has to be an understanding this is a project and it will take a number of transfer windows to bring in players he wants and get rid of the sub-par footballers that have been stealing a living at United for far too long.

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Stephen Killen

There is a reason why Manchester United opted against appointing Eddie Howe following Dan Ashworth's recommendation. Mauricio Pochettino is the only option to take this United side forward and turn them into the powerhouse that they can be.

He ran Tottenham Hotspur close to Premier League and Champions League success, narrowly missing out on both, with a largely sub-standard side, barring exceptions in Harry Kane and Son Heung-min. United have to test Pochettino's resolve, he has been in the frame for the job before and with the home World Cup out of the way with USA, what is stopping him from saying yes?

United need Pochettino's front-footed approach and his type of football will be one that gets fans on the edge of their feet and off their seats.

Howe had plenty of shortcomings at Newcastle United and could only take them as far as he could. While he guided them to the Champions League and picked up silverware, he struggled to compete across all four formats, something Pochettino is more than capable of doing.

Joe Doyle

There's talk of Unai Emery being the best fit for United. But it’s just not going to happen.

Of the available options, there seems to be a split in the boardroom between those who favour Eddie Howe and those who favour Julian Nagelsmann. But I'm not sure either of them have got what it takes to turn this ship around.

He may be a divisive choice, but I think United's best bet currently is Antonio Conte. He's shown before that he can be flexible when it comes to tactics, and this United squad isn't built for any one style in particular - a big failing from those above.

More importantly, the club needs a manager who commands the players' respect. They've consistently downed tools over the last three years, and for some, this season will be their last. Until then, they need someone uncompromising and unwilling to put up with any more of the circus act from the squad.

It may be a short-term appointment, but that's exactly the team they've got. Bring in Conte on a deal until the end of next season and re-evaluate where you are as a club along the way.

Matty Hewitt

I think if Manchester United are serious about restoring the club to where it should be, they need to go all out for Unai Emery. Sure, there’s an argument to be had around whether he can cut it at so-called ‘bigger clubs’ with reference to Arsenal and PSG.

However, he consistently has Aston Villa competing for European football and has won the Europa League. I understand the debate to bring in Eddie Howe; he’d bring a high-pressing, high-octane brand of football, but for me, there are too many question marks after his time at Newcastle United.

The former Magpies boss looked completely exhausted come the end of his St. James' Park tenure, and at times was overly loyal to players who were well past their peak. United have too many hangers on as it is, they can’t afford to waste more time.

Bruna Reis

Unfortunately, I don't think Man United's problems can simply be solved by changing the manager. There are far too many issues behind the scenes at the club that have been allowed to continue for years, and until those are properly addressed, I struggle to see how any manager can come in and turn things around.

We've seen manager after manager arrive at Old Trafford with different ideas and approaches, yet the same problems continue to surface. At some point, you have to question whether the manager is really the issue or whether the people making the decisions above them are ultimately responsible for the club's continued struggles.

United have spent enormous amounts of money on players over the years, but there still seems to be a lack of clear direction when it comes to recruitment, long-term planning and building a squad capable of competing at the highest level. You can appoint one of the best managers in world football, but if the structure around them isn't right and they're not given the tools to succeed, they're always going to face an uphill battle.

For me, the problems run much deeper than whoever is standing on the touchline. Until there is genuine change at the top, particularly among those responsible for making the major footballing decisions, I fear United will continue going around in circles. Sacking another manager might provide a temporary lift, but we've seen enough over the years to know that it isn't necessarily going to lead to sustained success.

That being said, if I had to choose someone to take over, I'd be interested to see Eddie Howe given an opportunity. He's shown during his time at Bournemouth and Newcastle that he's capable of improving players, building a strong team spirit and getting his sides playing attractive, attacking football.

Matt Abbott

Michael Carrick has been, in the words of Ian Holloway, a dead man walking since the Champions League defeat to Como, so why not go for the guy who has effectively killed him off, Cesc Fabregas? Their head coach also being a minority shareholder in the club could complicate matters, but that hassle could all be worth it based on the early returns.

United failed to sign him for David Moyes in 2014 and could finally right that wrong a dozen years later by securing his services in the dugout. Replacements with Premier League management experience are thin on the ground, but Fabregas has the closest thing to that from his extended spells playing for Arsenal and Chelsea.

Como have enjoyed a meteoric rise during his time on the sideline, and there is an argument that he has already taken them about as far as they can realistically go by qualifying for the Champions League.

Fabregas refused to be drawn on the United job before their meeting out of respect for Carrick; however, that could change if there is a vacancy. After all, he very generously called this United side 'wonderful' before showing mercy by telling his players to stop running.