Manchester United is considering a change in management following a series of poor results, including a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday that prompted unrest among supporters at Old Trafford. The club's executives met at the Carrington training ground to discuss the future of interim head coach Michael Carrick, who remains in a precarious position despite some backing within the squad.
Omar Berrada, the club’s chief executive, and Jason Wilcox, the director of football, convened discussions centered on whether to retain Carrick, with the decision expected to involve input from co-owners Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family. Carrick, who attended an under-21 match against Hull City on Monday, has not yet been confirmed to lead upcoming training sessions or the next Premier League fixture at Chelsea.
Should Carrick be dismissed, two candidates reportedly favored among senior club officials are Julian Nagelsmann and Eddie Howe. Nagelsmann, formerly of Bayern Munich and a former Germany national team coach, is seen as a compelling candidate by some, while Wilcox is understood to favor Howe. Recruitment director Christopher Vivell is said to prefer Nagelsmann, partly due to previous collaboration at RB Leipzig. Antonio Conte has also expressed interest in the role, though concerns remain regarding his potential demands for transfer control.
The pressure at Manchester United intensified after a demoralizing 4-1 loss to Como in the Champions League, compounded by a sharp drop in squad confidence and performance levels. Source reports indicate Carrick’s staff privately believed his dismissal was imminent following the Bournemouth defeat. Nonetheless, some players continue to back the 45-year-old coach.
Former United captain Gary Neville issued a harsh critique of the current squad, accusing several players of lacking professionalism and failing to fully commit to the club’s standards. Speaking on his podcast, Neville said certain players do not maintain appropriate discipline off the pitch and suggested they should be removed from the club. He also criticized captain Bruno Fernandes for publicly questioning Carrick’s tactics following the Champions League defeat, calling it inappropriate given Fernandes’s leadership role.
The club’s ownership and management also faced criticism from displeased fans, who directed boos at Ratcliffe, the Glazers, and Wilcox during the Bournemouth match. Ratcliffe, whose investment firm Ineos is involved with the club, faces ongoing scrutiny from supporters unhappy with transfer decisions and the absence of reinforcements in key positions, including a left-back and reserve striker. Despite this, Ratcliffe remains committed to plans for a new approximately £2 billion stadium, a project that has drawn mixed reactions from fans.
While some elements within the Manchester United fan base remain loyal and willing to support a new manager, frustration with the ownership structure and overall management philosophy continues to simmer, creating a challenging environment for any incoming coach.