Manchester United have decided to retain Michael Carrick as head coach following a 2-0 defeat at Chelsea, with the club opting to assess his position after the November international break rather than make an immediate change. The decision comes despite United's winless run extending to nine games across all competitions and the club sitting 17th in the Premier League with seven points -- above the relegation zone only on goal difference.
Crisis talks were held last week following heavy defeats by Como and Bournemouth, with board members including director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada meeting at the training ground to discuss Carrick's future. The pair ultimately decided Carrick should be given a chance to turn form and results around.
United's poor form has put the club in an unfamiliar position. The last time United were in the bottom three was November 1986, prompting the arrival of Alex Ferguson, who went on to lead the club to an unprecedented period of success. United are winless in nine games for the first time since 1988, and have not gone 10 without a win in a single campaign since 1977-78.
Despite the bleak backdrop, Carrick indicated he expected to remain in charge for the Champions League game against Roma at Old Trafford on Tuesday. The United boss said he was looking forward to the fixture, describing it as a chance to change the narrative of the season. "You might think I'm crazy with the results we've had, but genuinely, I really can't wait for the game," Carrick said.
With Carrick's position secure for now, the club's recruitment structure is already looking ahead. Eddie Howe is understood to be Wilcox's preferred candidate should Carrick ultimately be dismissed, with contact between the parties understood to have been made. Howe would cost about £3 million in compensation to Newcastle. Julian Nagelsmann is also on United's radar, with director of recruitment Christopher Vivell believed to have sounded out the German coach, with whom he previously worked at RB Leipzig.
United are four points away from the top half and nine points off the top four, while Arsenal could extend their lead over them at the top of the table to 17 points with a win over Liverpool. Carrick's future will again be reviewed after the next round of Premier League matches, with United hosting Aston Villa next Sunday before the international break provides the next assessment point.
