Manchester United have commenced the search for potential managerial replacements despite expecting head coach Michael Carrick to remain in charge for Sunday's Premier League fixture against Bournemouth. Carrick is continuing his work as normal and has not been notified of an imminent sacking following Wednesday's humiliating 4-1 Champions League defeat against Como, after which the 45-year-old apologised to United's 700 travelling supporters.
Several managers are already monitoring the situation at Old Trafford. Former Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is available and receptive to taking the role after leaving St James' Park in the close season, while ex-Chelsea manager Antonio Conte and former Germany coach Julian Naglesmann are also out of work and interested. Additionally, Aston Villa's Unai Emery and Brighton's Fabian Hurzeler are held in high regard by United's hierarchy, though prising either away from their current clubs would be difficult. Scrutiny on Carrick has intensified after captain Bruno Fernandes openly questioned his tactics in Italy, alongside defender Lisandro Martinez publicly criticising recruitment.
United's ongoing crisis leaves them with just two victories from 11 matches in all competitions and winless in their last seven, representing their poorest sequence since Louis van Gaal oversaw an eight-match winless streak in 2015-16. The squad has recorded only a single clean sheet all season, hampered by offensive struggles, a long absentee list that includes Luke Shaw, and a lack of support for forward Benjamin Sesko. While some senior figures argue that constant managerial changes since the exits of Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim have not halted United's decline, Carrick's credit from winning 12 of his 17 games in interim charge to seal Champions League qualification before his permanent May appointment has rapidly eroded.
With little time between fixtures, an immediate managerial switch ahead of the Bournemouth clash remains difficult. However, United face a free midweek following their prior EFL Cup elimination by Brighton—who overturned a two-goal deficit to win at Old Trafford last month—which could provide club chiefs room to review Carrick's position. Bournemouth arrive having claimed their first league victory under new manager Marco Rose last week, having drawn 4-4 at Old Trafford last season after winning 3-0 on each of their previous two visits.