Overview
- Club sources and multiple journalists report there are no plans to sack Michael Carrick during the current international break and he retains reported backing inside the dressing room.
- Carrick’s job is fragile after a poor start to the 2026/27 season that has left United sitting 12th and included a League Cup collapse to Brighton and a draw at Fulham.
- Manchester United are conducting succession planning and monitoring several candidates with Brighton’s Fabian Hurzeler described as a leading target on internal shortlists.
- Brighton have tied Hurzeler to a long contract and will resist approaches, with outlets estimating compensation to hire him at roughly £10m–£15m and additional multi‑million payouts owed if Carrick is sacked.
- INEOS chiefs are said to favour financial prudence after recent payouts for past managerial departures, so Carrick’s fate will likely hinge on results in the upcoming fixture run rather than an immediate change.