Michael Carrick may be running out of time as Manchester United manager.
United's latest setback, a 4-1 loss to Como on Wednesday, Oct. 21, was perhaps the lowest point of a current seven-game winless run. The visitors were blown away by the Italian side and after the match, United captain Bruno Fernandes publicly questioned his coaching staff's tactics.
It has been a turbulent start to Carrick's first full season in charge. United has just two wins in 11 total matches, sitting in 13th place in the Premier League and already getting eliminated from the Carabao Cup.
Carrick earned the full-time position with a strong run last season as an interim, but his time in charge at Old Trafford could already be coming to an end.
According to The Guardian,
Carrick's future "is in the balance" and may be discussed by United hierarchy prior to Sunday's game against Bournemouth.
Though the club could axe Carrick, the BBC has said that some senior figures at United are wary of changing managers again so soon.
The Red Devils have employed seven permanent managers since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. They have yet to win a Premier League title since Ferguson's departure.
What did Michael Carrick say about his job status?
Carrick was asked about his position following the Como match.
“Listen, I’ve not given my own position any thought,” he said in a press conference. “[My thoughts are] for the supporters – I was one of them watching that and I wasn’t happy at all.”
Carrick was then asked if he could step down, responding: “No. It’s not about me right now and my feelings in that regard.
"It’s more of as a team and as a football club, what we want to look like, what we should look like. And as I said, the results can come and go at times, but you got to do it in a certain way. And that wasn’t it.”
Who could replace Michael Carrick?
The Telegraph reported that former Bayern Munich and Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann would be a top contender for the job if Carrick is sacked. Nagelsmann is said to be interested in the job.
Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler has been marked as a future candidate,per The Telegraph, but could be difficult to land in the middle of the season.
Former Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is available and has been mentioned as a candidate, with United’s co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly an admirer.
Ironically, one of the most appealing names for United may be Cesc Fàbregas, the Como manager who oversaw Wednesday's Champions League thrashing. The Spaniard was even asked about the proposition of taking over for Carrick prior to the game.
"I won't answer that question because I think that's not a very nice question," Fàbregas said on Tuesday.
"I don't think that shows enough respect to a great footballer and manager like Michael Carrick at the helm of a wonderful Manchester United side."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Manchester United boss Michael Carrick getting sacked?
