Man United decides Michael Carrick’s future before Chelsea game
Manchester United have made their final call on Michael Carrick’s role as head coach ahead of their next match.
On Sunday, United suffered a tough 3-0 loss to Bournemouth at Old Trafford, marking their eighth game in a row without a win. With pressure building on Carrick’s future, many thought this might be his last game in charge. But it’s now confirmed he will stay on for the upcoming game against Chelsea.
United will head to Stamford Bridge on Saturday, October 31, to face a Chelsea team that’s been surprising everyone this season. Given how both teams have been playing lately, fans aren’t feeling very hopeful, and many want Carrick replaced. There have even been rumors linking the job to top managers like Antonio Conte, Eddie Howe, and Julian Nagelsmann.
However, according to The Athletic, Carrick has been given a chance to turn things around. He led training at Carrington and will manage the Chelsea game. It’s not clear if he has just this match or until the next international break (November 9-17) to prove himself.
This decision seems to quiet the rumors about immediate appointments of Conte, Howe, or Nagelsmann. But a recent report suggests that the reason Carrick is staying isn’t because the club fully trusts him, but because they haven’t found the right replacement yet.
Reporter Samuel Luckhurst shared that, when asked about potential new managers, a source said the “best ones won’t come.” United hasn’t formally approached Conte, while Howe is preparing for a possible offer. Christopher Vivell, United’s director of recruitment, favors Nagelsmann due to their past work together in the Red Bull group.
Other Premier League coaches like Brighton’s Fabian Hurzeler and Aston Villa’s Unai Emery have also been linked, but it would likely take a big payment to get them. Plus, since Sir Jim Ratcliffe became co-owner in February 2024, United prefers to hire head coaches instead of managers, which could rule out Emery.
If Carrick is eventually let go, he would become the eighth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
For more, check out what Eddie Howe once said about his tactics at Newcastle — some say it reminded them of Ferguson’s style at United.