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 Online Media 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.
The 4-4 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday means United, who are 18th in the table, have made their worst start to a domestic campaign in 40 years.
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.
Carrick to pay price for dismal start
The Villa draw was Carrick’s third match in charge since the club opted to give the 45-year-old more time at Old Trafford.
Results during that time – a win, a draw and a defeat – were mixed, and displayed the best and worst of Carrick’s reign with United shipping goals but displaying good character to come back from two goals down on three occasions.
United’s board toyed with sacking Carrick after the loss to Bournemouth, but decided the Englishman – and his players – had earned the opportunity to show that they could turn the club’s fortunes around.
It was also felt that the two-week international break in November represented a better chance for the club to properly assess the club’s start to the campaign.
Unfortunately for Carrick, it makes for poor reading.
With one victory in 10 Premier League matches, United have made their worst start to a top-flight campaign since the 1986/87 season.
They sit 18th in the table, one point above bottom-placed Crystal Palace.
Only the Eagles and Ipswich have conceded more than the 19 goals United have shipped in the Premier League this season.
It is hard to believe given the club’s current predicament just how quickly Carrick’s tenure has soured.
