Overview
- Manchester United sit 12th after one of their worst five-game starts and were knocked out of the League Cup after surrendering a two-goal lead to Brighton, leaving Carrick under intense scrutiny.
- Multiple outlets report the board has no plan to sack Carrick over the current international break, a stance framed as a temporary pause rather than a long-term guarantee.
- Pundit Jamie Carragher publicly urged patience and said it would be 'ludicrous' to dismiss Carrick immediately, and several reports say parts of the dressing room still back the manager.
- Separately, media coverage says the club has begun early contingency work on high-profile candidates including Antonio Conte, Fabian Hurzeler and Eddie Howe without any confirmed approach.
- Critics and former insiders argue the board share blame for the slump because summer recruitment left holes at full-back, centre-back and striking cover despite roughly £190m of signings, and upcoming fixtures against Tottenham and Atlético Madrid are now framed as key tests.