Man Utd in relegation zone as Carrick's future remains unclear

Summarised from 4 outlets · 8 reports · Updated 9 Nov, 17:33 · Archive

Manchester United are reviewing Michael Carrick's position after drawing 4-4 with Aston Villa, leaving them in the Premier League relegation zone.

Manchester United drew 4-4 with Aston Villa on Sunday, rescuing a point through late goals from substitutes Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu. The result leaves the 20-time league champions in 18th place in the Premier League relegation zone as they head into the November international break.

The Guardian reports that Jason Wilcox, the director of football, is leading a review of Michael Carrick's position and will consult with chief executive Omar Berrada before making a recommendation to Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who controls sporting policy. Carrick was given three matches to turn results around after nearly being removed following the 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth on 25 October. In those three games, United lost 2-0 at Chelsea, beat Roma 3-2, and drew with Aston Villa.

The scale of United's struggle this season is stark. They have one win in 11 games, the worst start to a Premier League campaign in the club's history. Across all competitions, they have won only three of 15 games and conceded 30 goals—the second-most of any team in Europe's top five leagues. Sky Sports reports that the hierarchy believe Carrick over-achieved last season when he secured third place and Champions League football, but feel the current squad has woefully under-performed.

Carrick said after the Villa draw that he remained confident in his ability to guide a resurgence, telling reporters: 'I'm pretty clear where we need to go and how we need to get there.' However, Sky Sports reports that the club will not rush its decision and plans to use the international break to fully evaluate the season and reassess options.

The performances have been inconsistent. United showed problems in both halves against Villa, conceding early in each. At Chelsea they impressed in the first half before faltering. Against Roma they fell 2-0 behind before rallying in the second half. The Independent's analysis suggests the lack of action from the hierarchy feels consistent with a passivity that has allowed poor results to become normalised at the club.

How it is being reported

• Man Utd yet to make decision on Carrick's futureManchester United's board are yet to make a final decision on Michael Carrick's future, despite the club's worst start to a campaign in 40 years.BBC News · 9 Nov, 17:49
• Man Utd will not rush decision on Carrick futureManchester United's bosses will not rush a decision over Michael Carrick's future after their 4-4 draw with Aston Villa which leaves them in the relegation zone.Sky Sports · 9 Nov, 16:52
• Man Utd will not rush decision on Carrick futureManchester United's bosses will not rush a decision over Michael Carrick's future after their 4-4 draw with Aston Villa which leaves them in the relegation zone.Sky Sports Football · 9 Nov, 16:52
• Manchester United weighing up Michael Carrick sacking as Wilcox leads reviewCarrick given time after Como and Bournemouth defeats Recommendation will be made to Sir Jim Ratcliffe Manchester United are deciding whether Michael Carrick should be sacked, with Jason Wilcox, the director of football, leading the review after the head coach was given the Chelsea, Roma and Aston Villa games to turn results around . Wilcox is consulting with Omar Berrada, the chief executive, before a recommendation regarding Carrick is made to Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who controls sporting policy. United are in the Premier League relegation zone and have three victories in 15 games in all…The Guardian · 9 Nov, 16:21
• The real reason why Man United are desperate to avoid sacking Michael CarrickUnited’s dramatic comeback against Aston Villa raises more questions around the direction of the club, explains Miguel Delaney, with Carrick’s demise exposing a more worrying truth about the clubIndependent Sport · 9 Nov, 16:20
• What now for Man Utd and Carrick?The future of Michael Carrick at Manchester United remains a mystery following the dramatic 4-4 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday.Sky Sports · 9 Nov, 15:00
• What now for Man Utd and Carrick?The future of Michael Carrick at Manchester United remains a mystery following the dramatic 4-4 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday.Sky Sports Football · 9 Nov, 15:00
• Michael Carrick is ‘clear’ about his plans as he clings onto Man Utd jobUnited go into the international break in the Premier League relegation zone after the 4-4 draw with Aston VillaIndependent Sport · 9 Nov, 14:45

In this story: Michael Carrick · Manchester United · Jason Wilcox · Sir Jim Ratcliffe · Omar Berrada · Joshua Zirkzee · Patrick Dorgu · Aston Villa

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