Michael Carrick latest: Under-fire manager arrives at training ground as club chiefs hold crisis talks

Michael Carrick is on the brink of the sack as Manchester United manager as club chiefs gathered for crisis talks following the humbling 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday.

United’s technical director Jason Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada were spotted arriving at the club’s Carrington training ground on Monday morning, with Carrick then arriving later in the afternoon, as the club weigh up whether to dismiss the former midfielder following an eight-game winless run in all competitions.

Carrick dropped Bruno Fernandes following the United captain’s criticism of his manager’s tactics following the dismal 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League on Wednesday, but the move backfired as another abject performance from his players.

United now dwindle in 16th in the Premier League, just two points above the relegation zone, with the fans at Old Trafford turning on the squad and largely giving Carrick their support following the Bournemouth defeat. Fernandes’ comments came shortly after Lisandro Martinez took aim at the United hierarchy following defeat at Atletico Madrid.

Carrick initially returned to Old Trafford as interim manager – his second stint in caretaker role – after the dismissal of Ruben Amorim at the beginning of the year. He was rewarded with the full-time position after guiding United to third in the Premier League last term but results have dipped this season and the club have now gone eight games without a win.

Former Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is currently leading the list of possible replacements, while former Germany and Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann is also available. United may also turn to another interim appointment, the same situation they were in 10 months ago.

Follow the latest updates and news from Manchester United, below

Pinned

Manchester United’s leadership team have gathered at the club’s training round to hold crisis talks over the future of manager Michael Carrick.

United’s technical director Jason Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada were spotted arriving at the club’s Carrington training ground on Monday, with Carrick also present, as the club weigh up whether to dismiss the former midfielder following an eight-game winless run in all competitions.

Following the defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday, Carrick said he had only had a short conversation after the game with the United hierarchy. He admitted he is not sure if chief executive Berrada and sporting director Wilcox will dismiss him.

“Just briefly like always after a game, but nothing out of the ordinary,” he added. “I will see what happens. I totally understand the situation.

“I'm not expecting anything in particular, to be honest. I am carrying on as normal. I love this place. I'll always do what I feel is going to be the best for the football club, whatever decision is made on anything really. So that's kind of it. You know, I'm not expecting anything either way.”

Meanwhile Gary Neville launched an attack on United’s players and accused them of giving up on Carrick, who dropped Bruno Fernandes following criticism of his manager’s tactics.

The Guardian have reported that Eddie Howe, the former Newcastle manager, is the “preferred candidate” of Wilcox and there has already been contact between him. The Telegraph reported that Julian Nagelsmann, also available after leaving Germany following the World Cup, is on the list of candidates too.

Jamie Braidwood26 October 2026 11:50

Man United’s latest abject display spells the end for Michael Carrick after huge call backfires

For Michael Carrick, it is now a question of when, not if. When the axe falls, when he reverts from being head coach of Manchester United to a season-ticket holder, presumably despairing of the next manager, when he pays the price for a calamity of a start to this season.

Read Richard Jolly’s match report from Old Trafford, below

Jamie Braidwood26 October 2026 14:39

Manchester United's last eight results in all competitions

Manchester United have just seven points from their first eight games of the season, their lowest at this stage since 1986. Their eight-game winless run in all competitions is their longest since November-December 2015.

L: 0-1 v Man City | Premier League

L: 2-3 v Brighton | Carabao Cup

D: 1-1 v Fulham | Premier League

D: 1-1 v Tottenham | Premier League

L: 0-2 v Atletico Madrid | Champions League

D: 1-1 v Leeds United | Premier League

L: 1-4 v Como | Premier League

L: 0-3 v Bournemouth | Premier League

(PA Wire)

Jamie Braidwood26 October 2026 14:19

Michael Carrick arrives at Manchester United's training ground

Michael Carrick has now been spotted arriving at Manchester United’s training ground this aftenoon.

The manager, who is under intense pressure following the 3-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth on Sunday, is said to made the journey into Carrington in order to watch a behind-closed-doors match involving United’s Under-21s team.

But it comes as technical director Jason Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada arrived at the training ground this morning, with the club officials expected to hold talks over Carrick’s future following an eight-game winless run in all competitions.

Jamie Braidwood26 October 2026 14:05

The moment Manchester United fans made their feelings clear

Manchester United supporters sent a clear message as to who they blame for the club’s miserable season by applauding Michael Carrick while jeering the players as they went down the tunnel following the 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth.

Carrick – who impressed during his interim spell in charge last season – has come under huge pressure following United’s worst start to a season in 40 years, with an eight-game winless run revealing a fractured dressing room that has once again left the club in turmoil.

While the problems United face run far deeper than the head coach – as highlighted by defender Lisandro Martinez after the defeat to Atletico Madrid earlier this month – Carrick’s position has felt untenable following criticism of his tactics by the United captain Bruno Fernandes.

Jamie Braidwood26 October 2026 13:59

Michael Carrick says waving to fans after Bournemouth thrashing ‘wasn’t a farewell’

Michael Carrick insisted he was not saying farewell to Manchester United after their 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth but admitted he does not know if he will be sacked.

United have made their worst start to a season for 40 years and lost their last two games by three goals, following Wednesday’s 4-1 thrashing by Como, and Carrick was taunted by Bournemouth supporters with chants of “sacked in the morning”.

He was still serenaded by United fans as he went down the tunnel but claimed: “It wasn't a farewell from me.”

Carrick insisted the United players are hurting as their nosedive continues but admitted he has not spoken to them all.

“There's a lot of emotion in the changing room right now, there's a lot of disappointment, there's a lot of the boys quite hurt, disappointed,” he said.

Richard Jolly, Senior Football Correspondent26 October 2026 13:39

Gary Neville attacks ‘nothing’ Man United players for giving up on Michael Carrick

Gary Neville launched an attack on Manchester United’s players and accused them of giving up on Michael Carrick, who is under mounting pressure following the 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday.

The manager dropped captain Bruno Fernandes after his criticism of Carrick’s tactics following the 4-1 defeat to Como in midweek while Lisandro Martinez spoke out against the United hierarchy following the loss at Atletico Madrid earlier this month.

"There's a few of them that don't go to bed at the right time, don't eat the right things, don't think about Manchester United every single minute of every day, and aren't living and breathing this football club as they should be - and as professionals should,” Neville said, without naming those players.

“Why? Because it's gone to their heads. But they still walk around like King William. They are nothing, some of those players.”

Jamie Braidwood26 October 2026 13:19

Possible replacements for Michael Carrick: Antonio Conte?

The appeal of the combustible Italian only has grown while Manchester United have been accused of becoming too passive and pedestrian on the pitch.

Conte is one of the most demanding coaches in the game and would instantly bring a level of intensity and urgency that has been lacking this season, while his CV – with Serie A titles at Juventus, Inter Milan and Napoli and a Premier League crown with Chelsea – commands respect.

Conte also brought an immediate improvement when he took charge of a floundering Tottenham five years ago and led them back into the Champions League, which now has to be United’s biggest concern.

So the 57-year-old offers impact, but then what? Conte has a sharp tongue and is not afraid to criticise his bosses if he feels they are failing to support him. His exit from Tottenham in March 2023 followed a stunning evisceration of the club in a now legendary press conference at Southampton. United would be playing with fire but options of Conte’s calibre are few and far between.

In a statement on Friday, Conte distanced himself from the Manchester United job while branding reports that he is in “advanced negotiations” with any club as “speculation”.

Jamie Braidwood26 October 2026 12:59

Man United’s problems are much bigger than Michael Carrick – and much harder to fix

And this point may be the end point: 16th in the Premier League, 20th in the Champions League, eight games without a win after back-to-back thrashings at the hands of small clubs. Michael Carrick, who had the best record in the Premier League last season after his January appointment, stands on the brink of the sack. Carrick’s regime has crumbled at startling speed, with brutal cruelty to a fundamentally decent man with a genuine affection for the club.

It is part of a cycle at United, whirring around ever quicker as managers come and go. Carrick has been unable to stop history repeating itself at Old Trafford.

Richard Jolly, Senior Football Correspondent26 October 2026 12:44

Gary Neville warns Man Utd could still be 'up to 10 years' from PL title

Manchester United could be left searching for an eighth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club 13 years ago.

United have not come close to winning the Premier League in that time - with Gary Neville warning their title drought is far from ending.

"It's 13 years now without a Premier League title," he said on Sky Sports.

"That will be another five or 10 before you know it because there are other clubs set up for success and Manchester United aren't.

"They are making poor decisions. From a business perspective, this is really damaging.

"It can't just be the manager again. There has got to be consequences above that. You can't keep letting the people pick the manager who keep getting it wrong."

(AP)

Jamie Braidwood26 October 2026 12:29