Manchester United’s players are set to return to training at Carrington on Tuesday – but it is still uncertain whether Michael Carrick will be in charge.
United head coach Carrick was at Carrington on Monday to watch the club’s U21s take on Hull City in a behind-closed-doors game.
The first-team players had a scheduled day off but chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox also met at the training base, with their talks focused on next steps following Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth.
It remains to be seen what the United hierarchy, which includes Sir Jim Ratcliffe, will decide.
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United’s defeat to Bournemouth saw Carrick drop captain Bruno Fernandes to the bench after he questioned his tactics during the 4-1 Champions League loss to Como. It extended United’s winless run to eight games across all competitions.
Carrick has overseen United’s worst-ever start to a Premier League season. They are 16th in the table, with seven points from their seven games and just one point adrift of the relegation zone.
Carrick was initially appointed as United boss in January 2026 on a contract until the end of the season, following Ruben Amorim’s sacking earlier in that campaign. He delivered a brilliant run of results, winning 12 of 17 matches to earn a third-place finish in the Premier League and a return to the Champions League.
Carrick was nominated for Premier League Manager of the Season and, in May, signed a new contract running to 2028.
Why there hasn’t been swift action on Carrick’s future
Sky Sports News’ Rob Dorsett:
“I thought this would happen pretty quickly. The fact it happened makes me think one of two things is going on.
“Probably the most likely is Man Utd’s bosses are taking their time to consider who they want as a replacement. The worst-case scenario for Man Utd would be if they sacked Michael Carrick and the person they went for didn’t want the job or they couldn’t agree a deal with them and they were left in limbo for days, possibly weeks.
“We know it happens in football all the time: clubs try to set up a replacement before they get rid of the incumbent.
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“The second thing is they are very conscious – and it was made clear to them at Old Trafford – just how popular Michael Carrick is among the Man Utd support.
“The same thing happened with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2021 – he gave the most incredible departure video, despite being sacked by Man Utd.
“The club wanted to make sure it ended amicably. I think Man Utd bosses are thinking the same thing here. There might not be an exit video from Carrick but they want this done humanely and respectfully. If they don’t, the backlash from supporters could be even stronger.”
