Carrick stays on despite 4-1 Como defeat and player unrest

Summarised from 7 outlets · 11 reports · Updated 22 Oct, 16:51 · Archive

Michael Carrick will remain Manchester United manager for Sunday's match against Bournemouth after the 4-1 Champions League defeat by Como.

Michael Carrick will remain in charge of Manchester United for Sunday's Premier League match against Bournemouth at Old Trafford. The club confirmed this by scheduling his pre-match press conference for Friday afternoon at 1:30pm, signalling they are not making an immediate managerial change following Wednesday's 4-1 Champions League defeat by Italian side Como.

The loss to Como left United winless in their last seven games in all competitions. The club have won only two matches this season and are 13th in the Premier League and 20th in the Champions League. They were also knocked out of the Carabao Cup. The defeat in Como was United's heaviest defeat in Europe since 1994 and came on the back of the club's worst league start in 40 years.

Captain Bruno Fernandes publicly questioned Carrick's tactics in the aftermath of the Como match, with sources indicating the United skipper was particularly critical of the team not being instructed to press. Carrick said United's performance was 'not acceptable' and that he was 'angry' after the match. He also apologised to the 700 travelling supporters at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium, saying the defeat was 'not about me'.

Despite the mounting pressure, United sources indicated it was 'business as usual' for Carrick. The club's senior figures believe the players must share responsibility for the dismal performance rather than the result falling solely on the manager. Some senior figures at United have expressed the view that regular managerial changes in recent years have failed to arrest the club's decline and that Carrick has been let down by underperforming players.

However, Carrick's job remains far from secure. The club have begun the process of identifying possible replacements, with several managers understood to be interested in the Old Trafford position. Eddie Howe, the former Newcastle boss, is available and open to returning to management with United after leaving St James' Park in the close season. Former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte and ex-Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann, both out of work, are also interested. Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has also been mentioned among early candidates, along with Kieran McKenna.

United's players were given Thursday off after travelling back from Italy in the early hours of the morning. The squad will return to training on Friday to prepare for Bournemouth. After hosting Bournemouth, United face Chelsea on 31 October, then Roma in the Champions League at home and Aston Villa in the Premier League before the international break. Failure to achieve a positive result against Bournemouth could prove decisive for Carrick's future.

How it is being reported

• Carrick will be in charge for 'pivotal' Bournemouth game despite growing concernsMichael Carrick will be in charge of Manchester United against Bournemouth on Sunday, but there is growing concern among club bosses about the team's poor run of form.Sky Sports · 22 Oct, 17:12
• Man Utd chiefs SPLIT on Michael Carrick replacement as player row spills into boardroomManchester United have spounded out managers who could replace Michael Carrick after the humiliating defeat to Como in the Champions LeagueMirror Sport · 22 Oct, 16:54
• 'I knew Man Utd were sacking me at half-time before I apologised like Michael Carrick'Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reflected on when he knew his reign was coming to an endMirror Sport · 22 Oct, 16:38
• Man Utd chiefs point finger of blame as Como defeat piles pressure on Michael CarrickMichael Carrick has come under fire following Man Utd's defeat to Como in the Champions League but so have the playersMirror Sport · 22 Oct, 15:52
• Michael Carrick given Man Utd sack verdict as Red Devils confirm decisionMichael Carrick will be given Manchester United's game at home to Bournemouth on Sunday - but the debate over his future rages on following their 4-1 thrashing in ComoMirror Sport · 22 Oct, 15:45
• Man Utd make decision on whether Michael Carrick will remain in charge against BournemouthCarrick on the brink but will last until next week at least (Picture: Denis Doyle/Getty Images) Michael Carrick will remain in charge of Manchester United for this weekend’s Premier League clash against Bournemouth . The former midfielder is under mounting pressure following Wednesday’s Champions…Metro · 22 Oct, 15:11
• Man United stand by Michael Carrick as he's set to stay in charge for crunch Bournemouth game - as ANOTHER damning Bruno Fernandes interview emerges about living 'in the past'CHRIS WHEELER: United are refusing to press the panic button and sack Carrick who is now expected to stay in charge for Sunday's game against Bournemouth at Old Trafford at least.Daily Mail Sport · 22 Oct, 14:39
• Manchester United make Michael Carrick sack decision after Como humiliationRed Devils boss under the microscope after dismal Champions League outing took winless run to seven matchesEvening Standard · 22 Oct, 14:25
• Michael Carrick update as Man United make decision ahead of Bournemouth clashUnited are preparing for Sunday’s game against Bournemouth as usual with under-fire Carrick set to take chargeIndependent Sport · 22 Oct, 14:16
• Man Utd make Michael Carrick sack decision after Como humiliationMichael Carrick is under huge pressure to keep his job as Manchester United manager, and the Old Trafford hierarchy have now made a decisionMirror Sport · 22 Oct, 14:12
• Carrick carrying on as normal as Man Utd eye possible replacementsWhile head coach Michael Carrick is expected to be in charge for Sunday's match against Bournemouth, Manchester United begin the process of identifying possible replacements.BBC News · 22 Oct, 13:48

In this story: Michael Carrick · Manchester United · Bournemouth · Como · Bruno Fernandes · Eddie Howe · Antonio Conte · Julian Nagelsmann

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