Carrick’s Manchester United future in serious doubt after Bournemouth defeat

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick’s position is under serious threat after Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth, with the club having won just one of their first eight Premier League matches and sitting 16th.

Carrick, 45, said he did not know what would happen next. “It’s a tough situation, there’s no hiding from it,” he told Sky Sports. “I will always do my best for the football club and I won’t change that now.”

United appointed Carrick permanently in May after he led them to third place and Champions League qualification during an interim spell that began in January, following Ruben Amorim’s departure. But they have not won a league match since beating Ipswich 5-2 on 30 August.

The defeat followed a 4-1 loss at Como in the Champions League. Carrick had left captain Bruno Fernandes on the bench against Bournemouth, days after the midfielder questioned his tactics. Defender Lisandro Martínez had also apologised for comments criticising the club’s hierarchy and calling for more investment in the squad.

Carrick remains a popular figure among supporters: fans sang for him after the Bournemouth defeat. Former United defender Gary Neville said the club’s owners, sporting department and players had “badly let this football club down”, while former striker Clinton Morrison said supporters were behind Carrick but not the players.