Did Man Utd 'cycle' set Carrick up to fail?published at 11:31 GMT
11:31 GMT
On the latest episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, the panel discuss Michael Carrick's likely dismissal at Manchester United.
The Observer's Rory Smith says Carrick has fallen victim of the "cycle" at Old Trafford.
Smith said: "They don't have that standout talent that will get them to the place which they regard as their birth right [dominating the Premier League] - but they are all good players.
"What they are courting is a cycle. It's to do with indecision, fear and anxiety. I don't know how you break that."
Carrick reports for Man Utd trainingpublished at 10:52 GMT
10:52 GMT
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
Image source, Eamonn & James Clarke
Michael Carrick remains Manchester United head coach and is due to take training on Tuesday, as it stands.
He arrived at Carrington as normal at 07:15 GMT - and neither he nor his coaches have been told their services are no longer required.
It is one of the weird issues around the football industry that word around decisions tends to leak out before they are communicated to those involved.
This tends to be because of conversations that need to take place around potential replacements, and that tends to find its way into the media.
Officially, United's hierarchy are still considering the situation with the recommendations of chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox due to be communicated to minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
If a change is made, as expected, it would be the third season in succession that Manchester United have backed a manager in the summer and given them transfer funds - and then sacked them mid-season.
Red Devils brings the chaos published at 08:47 GMT
08:47 GMT
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty Images
Every now and again, there is a television series or a soap opera that grabs us and takes us on a fabulous, confusing but unmissable ride.
The story might be outlandish, but you can't keep your eyes off it, even when watching through your fingers.
Welcome to the latest instalments of 'Manchester United go mad', each week coming with an abundance of zany storylines you couldn't make up.
We try hard not to write about United in every single newsletter but they are impossible to ignore.
Sunday's episode was a cracker that left the audience gobsmacked.
The opening scenes of poignant remembrance were quickly followed by five minutes of top-class farce and it didn't stop entertaining until a nail-biting, cathartic cliffhanger at the end in which they were suddenly and unexpectedly resurrected from the dead.
The characters in this drama are beautifully drawn from the evil (if you are a United fan) bosses to the lead man who takes almost all the action apparently in his stride.
Manager Michael Carrick should be tearing his hair out and running around like a spaniel at a fireworks event, but he mostly stands amid the mayhem trying – usually succeeding – in exuding an air of calm. This man deserves an Oscar.
We all can guess what the end is likely to be, and it isn't good for Carrick, but I very much hope it will rumble on in this style for a while yet.
These comebacks and eight-goal thrillers are gripping stuff.
Pat Nevin writes weekly in the Football Extra newsletter. If you're outside the UK and would like to receive it, sign up here.
Man Utd expected to dismiss Carrickpublished at 08:41 GMT
08:41 GMT
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United look increasingly likely to sack head coach Michael Carrick.
The club opted to stick with Carrick after the side's 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth on 25 October, with the intention of reassessing the situation during this month's international break.
Multiple sources have told BBC Sport that the board remain committed to that process, and that no final decision on Carrick's future has been made.
However, there is a growing expectation that chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox will recommend to minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family for Carrick to be sacked.
BBC Sport reported in October that the club had sounded out former Newcastle boss Eddie Howe and ex-Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann over replacing Carrick.
Former Chelsea coach Antonio Conte is known to be keen on the role, while multiple sources have told BBC Sport that former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is open to a move to Old Trafford.
Pochettino signed an extension to his contract as USA coach in August.
However, the deal is thought to contain clauses that would allow him to leave for specific high-profile jobs. The US have a two-legged Concacaf Nations League play-off with Haiti on 14 and 18 November.
It is a bleak time to be a Manchester United fan and, unfortunately for the Red Devils, the stats don't lie.
After another comeback by Michael Carrick's side in the 4-4 draw against Aston Villa - Opta produced a series of stats which are a tough read for the club.
Due to the international break, Man Utd are now guaranteed to spend at least 15 consecutive days in the Premier League relegation zone. It is their longest run of days in the top-flight drop zone since a run across parts of September and October 1986 (28).
The days of witnessing a solid defence at Old Trafford seem a long time ago, but the 2026-27 campaign has seen United crumble under pressure in all competitions.
No side in Europe's big-five leagues have conceded more goals than United this season in all competitions (30).
One positive to take from the stats is that the players increased their work rate and covered 120.8km in the game against Villa, which is the biggest distance covered in a Premier League match under Carrick in 2026.
'We have to front it and show what we are about after the break' - Mountpublished at 16:14 GMT 9 November
16:14 GMT 9 November
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United midfielder Mason Mount says "it's a difficult time" but they "have to front it" and come back stronger after the international break.
Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester following Sunday's 4-4 draw with Aston Villa, Mount said: "It was a chaotic finish to the game and we managed to pull ourselves out of it to get a point.
"The start of the game wasn't good enough and we let ourselves down, and then the same at the start of the second half. After that, I think we looked good and we created chances.
"It shows character and desire to get back into it, but it's not where we want to be.
"We want to be winning games, especially at home in front of our fans, so it's a tough one to sum up."
United sit in 18th place in the Premier League, which is their lowest position for 40 years after playing at least 10 matches.
As they enter the international break, they will spend more time in the relegation zone than they have done since 1986.
"It's about sticking together in this moment and keep going as we have big games coming up after the [international] break," added Mount. "It's a difficult time, but as players we have to front it and show what we are about after the break.
"We want to get ourselves out of this position so we have to show that."
Gary: When is Michael Carrick going to have the bottle to drop some off these players who are not good enough? It's the same team every week. When will he try something different and give more of the academy players a game?
Tom: I'm really torn after that. The players are clearly still playing for the manager and you can argue that the squad has gaps that are hard to deal with, but the fact that we keep conceding goals like this is concerning and a better manager would have us better organised.
David: I would love to know what the defence do in training because they act like strangers on the field.
Clive: What on earth does Carrick see in Diogo Dalot? He's too slow and makes too many mistakes. Why can't he give Harry Amass a game at left back?
Steve: Almost 60 years as a United supporter and I've never seen such poor defending, even when we got relegated. The defence needs replacing completely or we will go down again. Carrick isn't to blame for the poor quality defenders he has at his disposal.
Aston Villa fans
Prit: Make no mistake, this feels like a defeat. Villa bottled a two goal lead, not once, but twice. They lacked game-management and threw away a win at Old Trafford - again. Let's hope the players feel the pain over the next two weeks and come back stronger. Maybe, if you are two-up with six minutes to go then keep the ball in the corner and play for time. Simples.
David: Still messing about at the back and passing across their goal line. Stopping when going forward and then passing backwards. Goalkeeper passing forward to a man with three opponents round him. Zion Suzuki is a great shot-stopper but useless at corners.
Andrew: Villa have got a better attacking front line compared to last season and can attack with speed because if we had taken our chances we could have scored six. On the negative side, we should have signed John Stones on a free to replace Ezri Konsa.
Keith: To lose a two goal lead twice is careless and not acceptable. The game management was poor and the substitutions didn't work. It was definitely a foul on Suzuki for United's last goal, but yet again United get away with it. Keep the faith.
David: Too often our midfield looks overrun and gives the ball away. Johan Manzambi struggles with the physical side of controlled build-up. Given how weak we are at the back we need to use our pace to get forward more quickly. Attack is the best form of defence!
'Carrick should be given more time'published at 11:31 GMT 9 November
11:31 GMT 9 November
Image source, Getty Images
Former Manchester United striker Dion Dublin speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live: "Michael Carrick has said they need to cut out the individual errors, and he's right. It's about concentration. It's about leadership. It's about talking to your team-mate in a way that he understands that you're talking to him like that because you want to win the game. You need to get a hold of your team-mates and be strong with them, tell them 'we're not doing enough, lads'. You need to point fingers sometimes.
"Clubs like Manchester United have to have a plan in a situation like this. Otherwise, it's awful management of the football club and the football team. I don't think the answer is getting rid of Carrick. What happens next? You've still got the same group of players that are crossing the white line and representing the football club.
"You can't change all the players. It's too difficult. You can change the manager. It's one person. But is it correcting the issue? Is it correcting the long-term problems? I think Carrick should be given more time."
What now for Man Utd and for Carrick?published at 09:05 GMT 9 November
09:05 GMT 9 November
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
Media caption,
After yet another breathless, chaotic, shambolic Old Trafford classic, Manchester United do not know whether to laugh or cry.
Their fans didn't, booing at some points, cheering at others.
Defender Diogo Dalot was singled out for gruesome treatment amid the second-half protests and songs of defiance as he was replaced by Patrick Dorgu in the 66th minute.
The players didn't, running away joyously to celebrate Dorgu's 96th-minute equaliser that made it 4-4 against Aston Villa.
They then applauded the supporters who stayed on despite the apparent hopelessness of the situation as the game entered injury time with United trailing 4-2, presumably to vent their anger on a day when defeat seemed certain.
Manager Michael Carrick was in spiky mood when he was quizzed about his future by Sky Sports reporter Patrick Davison.
"That's not going to happen," he said, when asked if he was going to walk away.
"Will there?" Carrick then added, when it was suggested there would "clearly be conversations" with United's hierarchy.
"You're telling me what you think," he responded.
"I'm quite clear what direction the club needs to go in. It's got to win games."
That is the big question.
Although the present situation can still be rectified, it now needs two lots of results to go Carrick's way for the table to look more positive. Yet how long will it be before it is accepted that such anticipated improvement is not going to materialise?
Can United afford to wait until the January window opens? Have they got the resources to spend in it when it does?
These are bound to feed into the thinking of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the Glazers, Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox as they consider the future - plus the attractiveness of potential replacements.
If Manchester United sack head coach Michael Carrick, 45, then former Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe, 48, and ex-Germany, Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann, 39, remain the top two candidates to replace him. (Manchester Evening News), external
However, USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who managed Tottenham and Chelsea in the Premier League, is the new bookmakers' favourite to replace Carrick at Old Trafford. (Standard), external
Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea head a list of Premier League clubs monitoring the form of AC Milan's Belgium centre-back Koni de Winter, 24. (Caught Offside), external
United, Everton, Chelsea and Tottenham have all been in contact with the representatives of former Barcelona forward Vitor Roque, 21, with the Brazil international valued at £42m by Palmeiras. (Bolavip via Teamtalk), external
Manchester United made an approach for Manchester City defender Rayan Ait-Nouri, 25, in the summer and could make another attempt to sign the Algeria international in January. (Football Insider), external
Man Utd 4-4 Aston Villa: How the players ratedpublished at 19:21 GMT 8 November
19:21 GMT 8 November
Media caption,
Man Utd starting XI:
Senne Lammens: One of Man Utd's best performers this season but a calamitous start to this one. First goal went straight through him and he spilled a shot straight from Nicolas Jackson for the second. Went wrong way for penalty too. 4
Diogo Dalot (off 66, Dorgu): Got his body in the right position to close half the goal off for the opener but was in the wrong position to make challenge on Alysson at start of second half to gift Villa a penalty. 4
Leny Yoro: Moved back into the centre, intelligently stepped up to win the ball on halfway, then spoiled good work by attempting a lofted pass when Matheus Cunha wanted it on the ground. Had a header going into his own net but led to Villa's fourth goal anyway. 5
Harry Maguire (off 46, Heaven): Managed to clear his head quickly enough to lead United's defence after their shocking start. A doubt pre-match, he went off at half-time. 5
Noussair Mazraoui: Struggled along with many others this season. Asked to push forward, which he seems to find easier for his country but not his club. 4
Youri Tielemans (off 66, Mount): Baited by the Aston Villa fans given his £35m summer move from them, but answered in the best way by driving home an equaliser for his first United goal. 6
Kobbie Mainoo: Threatened with a long-range effort and nearly picked out Amad Diallo's run with a precise chipped pass over the visitors defence. 6
Amad Diallo (off 66, Lacey): Kept his place ahead of crowd favourite Shea Lacey but one chase back into his own box showed why, defensively, it made sense. Came close to an equaliser and should have ended an 11-month wait for a goal but Zion Suzuki saved well. 6
Bruno Fernandes: For the second game running, he kept his cool to covert from the spot when the pressure was at its highest. Looked unhappy at the end despite the comeback. 7
Matheus Cunha: Driving run into the visiting box brought a crucial penalty. Curling effort was heading for the corner but turned around post by Suzuki. United's most dangerous attacker. 7
Bryan Mbeumo (off 83, Zirkzee): Did a lot of chasing in the first half to try to pressure the Villa defence into mistakes. 6
Man Utd substitutes:
Ayden Heaven (on 46, Maguire): Booked for late tackle on Alysson after being introduced at break. 6
Mason Mount (on 66, Tielemans): Hit the bar with first time shot but sliced later effort over. 6
Shea Lacey (on 66, Amad): Tried to create. 6
Patrick Dorgu (on 66 Dalot): What an ending as he changed the outcome of the game with an assist and goal. 8
Joshua Zirkzee (on 83, Mbeumo): Scored in stoppage time and goal proved crucial. 6
Subs not used: Darlow, De Ligt, Andrey Santos, J Fletcher.
Image source, Getty Images
