Man Utd consider Carrick replacements as coach prepares for Bournemouth match

Manchester United are identifying possible replacements for Michael Carrick, even as the head coach is expected to lead the team against Bournemouth on Sunday.

BBC Sport reports that Carrick has not been told of any imminent change and is carrying on as normal. But his position is uncertain after United’s 4-1 Champions League defeat by Como on Wednesday, which followed captain Bruno Fernandes questioning his tactics.

Former Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte and ex-Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann are among those understood to be interested in the job. Howe is available after leaving Newcastle in the close season. United also rate Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery and Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler, although taking them from their clubs would be difficult.

United’s next match is close, making an immediate change harder to organise. The players have Thursday off, and the club had yet to confirm arrangements for Friday’s planned news conference ahead of the Bournemouth game.

The club’s poor run has intensified scrutiny of Carrick. United have won twice in 11 matches and are without a victory in their past seven. The BBC says senior figures differ over how to respond: some believe repeated managerial changes have not reversed the club’s decline and that underperforming players have let Carrick down; others point to progress last season and believe he should have more time.

Carrick was appointed permanently in May after winning 12 of 17 matches as interim manager and helping United return to the Champions League after a two-year absence. He is the third United manager in the past three years to receive public and financial backing in the summer without positive results following. His predecessors Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim were also dismissed after poor results.

United have a clear midweek after the Bournemouth match, which could give the club time to consider its options. Whether Carrick remains in charge for Sunday, or beyond it, is still uncertain.