Manchester United weigh replacements as Carrick set to face Bournemouth after Como humiliation
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick is expected to be in charge for Sunday’s match against Bournemouth, but the club has already begun identifying possible replacements after Wednesday’s 4-1 Champions League humiliation at Como.
Carrick ‘carrying on as normal’ amid uncertainty
Sources say Carrick is carrying on as normal and has not been made aware of any imminent change following the defeat by Italian side Como. The loss was followed by captain Bruno Fernandes questioning Carrick’s tactics in the Champions League defeat.
The players have been given Thursday off, while United are still to confirm arrangements for Friday’s planned news conference to preview the Bournemouth match.
Some senior figures at United are of the view that chopping and changing managers so regularly in recent years has failed to arrest United’s decline, and that Carrick has been let down by players who are under-performing.
That does not necessarily mean Carrick is safe. There remains major uncertainty over his future. There is also an appreciation in some quarters of the progress he and his squad made last season, and a view that he should be given more time to turn things around.
Candidates lined up for Old Trafford
Eddie Howe, Antonio Conte and Julian Naglesmann are understood to have their eyes on the Old Trafford job.
Howe is available and would be considered. Sources have indicated the former Newcastle boss is open to returning to management with Manchester United after leaving St James’ Park in the close season.
Former Chelsea boss Conte and ex-Germany manager Nagelsmann, who are also out of work, are also interested.
Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery and Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler’s stock is high with those in the corridors of power at United – but extracting them away from their respective clubs would be difficult.
Conte sets demands after talks continue
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that talks between Antonio Conte and Manchester United representatives continued after the 4-1 loss to Como on Wednesday, with the Italian tactician making clear requests to the Red Devils, including ‘carte blanche’ in the transfer market.
Repubblica reports that informal talks between Conte and Manchester United representatives continued after last night’s game against Como, with the Italian tactician making clear requests to club directors.
According to the report, Conte wants to choose his staff members but, more importantly, have full decision-making power in the transfer market.
“Conte ‘wants carte blanche in the transfer market and to be allowed to choose the staff members who will join him for his new challenge,’ the Italian newspaper wrote.
Conte is currently without a club after leaving Napoli last summer. According to Repubblica, Manchester United directors are now assessing Conte’s demands before potentially starting an actual negotiation with the ex-Chelsea and Tottenham coach.
Conte is open to signing for a new club. In his latest interview with The Athletic, he said: “There are many clubs that have somewhat lost sight of their history. I’d like to go to one of these clubs to dust off that history and make it shine once more. “Clubs where there’s pressure, where, ultimately, you know full well that you’re not going there just to take part, but to compete.”
Pressure mounts on results
United have two wins from 11 games, and none in seven, their worst run since 2015-16 when eight matches without a win took Louis van Gaal to the brink of dismissal.
There is a view from senior figures around the club that while overall recruitment can be questioned – specifically the strategy of strengthening midfield in the most recent transfer window, at the expense of bringing in striking support for Benjamin Sesko or competition at left-back for Luke Shaw, part of a long list of absentees in Como – the players have to take a significant amount of responsibility for the current situation.
United have a clear midweek coming up following their EFL Cup defeat by Brighton, who came back from two down to win at Old Trafford last month. That, in theory, would allow time to take stock without the immediate pressure a match can bring.
Bournemouth secured their first Premier League win under new boss Marco Rose last week. They drew 4-4 in a memorable encounter at Old Trafford last season, prior to that, they won 3-0 on both of their previous two visits.
It remains to be seen if Carrick will be in charge, and if so, how long after that. It seems the only certainty around Manchester United just now, is the sense of uncertainty – again.