Manchester United have announced no decision on Michael Carrick’s future after a day of talks at Carrington following Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth. Chief executive Omar Berrada and football director Jason Wilcox met at the training ground, and players return to training on Tuesday.
Manchester, England: A Monday that many expected to deliver an answer ended without one. Manchester United were silent on the future of head coach Michael Carrick after a day of discussions at the club’s Carrington training ground, with no announcement made by the evening.
A day at Carrington
Carrick went to Carrington on Monday to watch the Under-21s play Hull in a behind-closed-doors friendly. Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox were also at the training base, where, Sky Sports reported, they discussed the next steps for the club. Wilcox left first, and Carrick left shortly before 5pm. Sky Sports said it was not clear whether the two men had spoken, and the club has made no public statement.
First-team players had a scheduled day off and are due back at training on Tuesday. Whether Carrick will be in charge of that session has not been confirmed. The decision, according to Sky Sports, rests with the club’s hierarchy, which includes part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The pressure after Bournemouth
The scrutiny follows a 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford by Bournemouth on Sunday, a result that left United 16th in the Premier League and a point above the relegation zone. Carrick had left captain Bruno Fernandes on the bench after the midfielder publicly questioned his tactics, a call Carrick described as a football decision. The Bournemouth loss followed a 4-1 defeat at Como in the Champions League in midweek, and a 1-1 draw at Leeds the weekend before.
United’s start to the league season is their worst for decades. Carrick said after the Bournemouth game that he takes responsibility for the result.
What comes next
United’s next league match is away at Chelsea on Saturday, with home games against Roma and Aston Villa to follow after the international break. Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann have been named in reports as possible replacements, but nothing about a successor has been confirmed, and no decision on Carrick has been announced. For now, the club’s silence is the story.
