Eddie Howe is reported to be the preferred replacement after a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth.
Manchester United's board are in crisis talks over whether to sack head coach Michael Carrick after a 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday, The Guardian reports. The paper understands the club's executive is actively considering his dismissal, and that the expectation at the club is that Carrick will be sacked.
Rayan put Bournemouth ahead in the 38th minute, Marcus Tavernier doubled their lead after a defensive error by Leny Yoro, and Evanilson made it three in the 71st minute, the Mirror reports. So far this campaign, United have recorded just one league victory and are in 16th place.
Carrick left captain Bruno Fernandes out of the starting lineup. Fernandes had criticised Carrick's tactics after the midweek 4-1 Champions League defeat at Como, and he remained an unused substitute. Carrick said before kick-off that the decision was for football reasons, not because of that criticism.
Carrick was defiant after the game and said he was not expecting to be removed from his post. He said he would always do his best for the club, whatever the decision. On his future, Carrick said:
"What it looks like and what's next I really don't know."
Eddie Howe, the former Newcastle manager, remains the preferred candidate of Jason Wilcox, United's director of football. Bringing in Howe would cost less than appointing Unai Emery, who is also highly rated, since Aston Villa would ask for roughly £20m as compensation for the Spaniard.
Christopher Vivell, who heads recruitment at United, thinks very highly of Julian Nagelsmann, the ex-head coach of Germany and Bayern Munich. Wilcox's view may carry more weight with Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who controls football policy at the club. Antonio Conte may also be in the frame.
On his podcast, former United defender Gary Neville concluded: "They are probably going to sack him." Jamie Carragher, the ex-Liverpool man, added: "Michael Carrick needs to be relieved of his duties tonight."
Carrick's name was chanted by the Old Trafford crowd after Bournemouth's third goal. As soon as Carrick went down the tunnel, boos met Fernandes and other United players who were following him, the Guardian reports.
Carrick said after the game: "It wasn't a farewell from me," and that he had mixed emotions. "I certainly appreciate their support."
Carrick said chief executive Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox came down to speak to him after the game, but that there was no discussion about his future. They "just briefly came down like they always do after a game, but nothing out of the ordinary."
Harry Maguire, who captained United in Fernandes's absence, said the squad was behind Carrick. "Coming into the team last season he turned things around and got Champions League football this season." He added: "As individuals, we're not playing well enough."
The club cannot announce a sacking until it informs the New York Stock Exchange, which is closed at weekends, the Guardian reports. United's next match is away at Chelsea in the Premier League on 31 October.
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