Manchester United weigh up Carrick future as review intensifies

Manchester United are increasingly likely to part company with Michael Carrick, with the club carrying out a formal review of the head coach's position after a difficult run of results. No final call has been taken yet, but the mood around Old Trafford appears to be shifting towards change.

Jason Wilcox, United's director of football, is understood to be overseeing the assessment and discussing the situation with chief executive Omar Berrada. Any recommendation is then expected to go to Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has control of the club's sporting direction.

Review under way at Old Trafford

Carrick had been given a short window to improve performances, with matches against Chelsea, Roma and Aston Villa forming a key part of that assessment period. The review suggests United's hierarchy wanted evidence of a clear response on the pitch before deciding whether to continue with the current coaching setup.

That process now appears to have moved into a decisive phase. While the club have not officially confirmed any outcome, the fact senior football executives are actively discussing alternatives points to serious concern over the current trajectory.

Possible successors being considered

Among the names reportedly on the club's radar are Mauricio Pochettino and Eddie Howe. At this stage, those links should be viewed as part of a wider contingency plan rather than proof of an imminent appointment, but they indicate the level of manager United would consider if they make a change.

Pochettino has long been admired in Premier League circles for his work on structure, pressing and player development, while Howe's stock remains high thanks to his organisational detail and ability to improve teams over time. Whether either would be attainable is a separate question, but United appear to be surveying credible options rather than waiting for events to force their hand.

Why the decision matters now

For a club trying to stabilise both on and off the pitch, the timing is significant. United are still shaping a new football leadership structure, and a managerial change would be one of the biggest early calls made by that group. It would also send a strong message that patience is limited when performances fail to meet expectations.

There is also the immediate football issue. Uncertainty around the head coach can affect preparation, player confidence and market sentiment ahead of forthcoming fixtures. Even before any announcement, the noise around Carrick's future is likely to dominate the build-up and sharpen scrutiny on every result.

Unless performances improve rapidly or the internal review lands in his favour, Carrick looks vulnerable. United have not yet pressed the final button, but the direction of travel is becoming difficult to ignore.