Manchester United

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Carrick's future as Manchester United head coach will be determined 800 miles away from Old Trafford in Monaco on Wednesday.

Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are flying out for one of their regular pre-planned meetings to discuss strategy around the football club.

On this occasion, the main issue to be decided is Carrick's future and it is expected that their recommendation will be for the head coach to go.

It is not a situation Sir Jim Ratcliffe would have expected to find himself in again, less than three years after purchasing a minority stake in United.

Ratcliffe has been criticised for many decisions since he bought his 28.94% stake for just over £1bn, but this is one he really needs to get right.

Ratcliffe's home is in Monaco and his company, Ineos, has offices in the principality. The meeting had also been in the diary for some time as a regular catch-up between senior executives and their boss.

Sources have stressed that the choice of location was not influenced by the debate around Carrick's future - it just happens to now be the most important item for discussion.

There is daily contact between senior executives so if the meeting was purely to decide Carrick's fate, it could have been done by video conference. The need to travel to Monaco is not the reason why there is yet to be a decision.

However, it does add a complication given Berrada and Wilcox's preference is to inform Carrick of any decision face to face.

Read the full article here

In this week's episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, the panel discussed Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens after the Belgian was arguably at fault for one, if not two, goals in Sunday's match against Aston Villa.

Host Mark Chapman said Lammens' handling was "amazing" and "so secure" in his first season at Old Trafford compared with now.

"He had that one moment in the World Cup when he came on and parried [a shot] back out against Spain. You do wonder how much of a doubt that [created], along with the general atmosphere at the club," he added.

Former Premier League goalkeeper Joe Hart added: "He just needs one of those steady games but, from his point of view, it will feel so noisy. The uncertainty is definitely there."

Hit play below to watch a clip from the show or listen in full on BBC Sounds here

Manchester United have added Brentford's Republic of Ireland centre-back Nathan Collins, 25, and Fulham's Nigeria defender Calvin Bassey, 26, to their list of possible January targets. (Mail - subscription required), external

United are also monitoring Dinamo Zagreb and Croatia striker Dion Beljo, 24. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on who you want in charge next at Old Trafford if Michael Carrick is sacked.

Here are some of your comments:

Martin: Keep Carrick. At some point, the club needs to stick with someone for the longer term. Swapping and changing constantly with the requisite differing squad requirements has led to this uncoordinated approach. Why not Carrick? None of the other suggestions, with the exception of Eddie Howe, stay long anywhere.

Oscar: For a quick fix, I would choose Antonio Conte. Manchester United don't need to build. We need to be winning. How we win doesn't matter at this particular level.

Nigel: Time for the hierarchy to stand up and be counted. Get Uni Emery - whatever it takes, whatever it costs. He fits the profile of the type of manager United need right now.

Joe: Mauricio Pochettino ticks all the boxes. Premier League and Champions League experience, been at big clubs, plays attacking football, promotes youth, likes to unify the dressing room and, above all, can work with an existing group rather than relying on star players being bought for him.

Saheed: I would want Julian Nagelsmann, irrespective of how it ended for him at Bayern Munich and with Germany at the World Cup. One spell, even two, doesn't define someone's managerial status. He's a young, up and coming manager full of talent and potential. He plays an attractive and appealing style of football. He is also adaptable and flexible within a formation, and would be able to promote the DNA of the club by bringing and developing youth while also getting the best out of them.

Tom: If we get to the new year and we are still in danger of relegation, then yes, a change is needed. Why aren't we giving managers time? We cannot keep going through a cycle of backing a manager, then sacking him and backing the next one. Let Carrick learn and grow. I'd much rather slower progress over a few years to get to the top, rather than aiming for immediate success and changing the manager when it doesn't happen. Just look at Mikel Arteta and Arsenal.

Andrew: Sadly inevitable. Carrick is a very decent man let down by senior players and unfortunate injuries. Hopefully Howe can be given the job and supported as a long-term project.

David: Perhaps Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada should be joint managers as they seem to know what is best! I wonder if they'd buy a left-back as their first signing. I would seriously go for Conte and sack the two directors, so he'd have complete control.

Dan Roan
Sports editor on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

One thing is for sure, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is his own man and not afraid to make difficult decisions - and there are some who will feel that he should scrutinise the positions of Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox as well.

There is no doubt they will be aware of the level of anger that surrounds Manchester United at the moment and they will be sensitive to the suggestion that you can just chop and change managers, as has been the case at Old Trafford in recent years, because the situation doesn't seem to improve.

They will also be mindful of the fact they did have a relatively successful transfer window last year, and that Michael Carrick had a successful season and got them into the Champions League again.

On the other hand, nobody can deny the predicament they are in right now is very concerning. Therefore, the expectation is that they will recommend a change.

They helped Ratcliffe decide to back Erik ten Hag and then to sack him, to relieve former director of football Dan Ashworth of his duties, to hire and then fire previous manager Ruben Amorim, and then make Carrick a permanent manager - so it may be that Ratcliffe has lost a little bit of faith in the decisions they have made and thinks there needs to be more of a structural change as well.

There is some scrutiny on Wilcox, as the director of football, in terms of some of the recruitment calls that have been made.

It will be fascinating to see what Sir Jim does. The other thing to bear in mind is that whatever is discussed on Wednesday will then have to also be put to the Glazer family, who are still the majority owners of Manchester United.

I wouldn't expect a decision to be made public until Thursday.

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Carrick has been in charge of Manchester United since January, but that may be coming to an end.

Carrick's future will be decided at a meeting attended by owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and executives Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox in Monaco on Wednesday.

With that in mind, if the former United midfielder is sacked, who do you want in charge next?

Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann, Antonio Conte and Mauricio Pochettino have all been linked with the position.

Do any of those excite you? Who has the best credentials to turn this season round? Or would your choice be another interim appointment?

Get in touch with your views here

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."

Take in a clip below or listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Read more on Michael Carrick's likely dismissal

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.

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.

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.

• Read more on the story

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.

Image source, Getty Images

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.

Manchester United and Liverpool are interested in signing 26-year-old Italy and Juventus defender Andrea Cambiaso. (TuttoJuve), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

The Devils' Advocate podcast has landed after a chaotic week at Manchester United.

Joe is joined by Jay Motty to discuss Man Utd's 4-4 draw with Aston Villa and Michael Carrick's future.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Explore all Manchester United content on BBC Sounds

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."

Listen to the full interview by pressing play below or on BBC Sounds here

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Manchester United and Aston Villa.

Here are some of your comments:

Man Utd fans

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!