A hierarchy that wants a longer process
Manchester United would not name an interim head coach if they decided to part with Michael Carrick, according to Sky Sports News. The club went through a stopgap spell before, and the sense is that they do not want to repeat it with their most important football job.
Carrick still has backers in the hierarchy, with a lingering worry that a change in the dugout would not fix the team. Tuesday’s 3-2 Champions League win over Roma was the first victory in 10 matches in all competitions, and it came from two goals down, helped by a Bruno Fernandes penalty that had to be re-taken. Carrick has won one of his last 10 games in charge. United sit 17th in the Premier League, clear of the relegation places only on goal difference.
no renewal
Free for 2 weeks.
Villa on Sunday, then the international break
Carrick took the job on a two-year deal in May after a strong run as interim coach that delivered Champions League football. Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada, who run football operations, are still weighing options. The international break next week gives them time to reassess, and Sunday’s home game against Aston Villa (kick-off 4:30pm) is seen as a key one for his future.
Villa have made life harder for United. They have announced they are close to agreeing a new long-term contract with Unai Emery, who had been high on United’s list. Winning the Europa League in May lifted Emery’s stock, and Villa’s owners insist he is not leaving.
Sky reports that Julian Nagelsmann, Fabian Hurzeler and Eddie Howe are prominent in United’s thinking if a change comes. The preferred outcome, by all accounts, is that results improve and Carrick stays.
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