Manchester United's 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como on Wednesday was followed by reports of division over Michael Carrick's future. The loss extended United's winless run to seven games in all competitions, with the team 13th in the Premier League table and 20th in the Champions League table.
Reaction after the Como loss
TEAMtalk said Bruno Fernandes appeared to criticise Carrick's tactics after the defeat to Como. TEAMtalk also said Fernandes was not expected to face any punishment.
The Mail's claims on internal tensions
According to The Mail, there were 'growing tensions' between Manchester United director of football Jason Wilcox and director of recruitment Christopher Vivell. According to The Mail, Manchester United were not planning to sack Carrick before they play Bournemouth on Sunday.
According to The Mail, Manchester United were already looking seriously at potential replacements for Carrick. The Mail said Vivell was 'pushing hard' for Julian Nagelsmann to be the leading candidate, while Wilcox preferred a Premier League proven manager.
Names mentioned as possible replacements
According to The Mail, Eddie Howe, Fabian Hurzeler, Unai Emery and Antonio Conte had all come up on a shortlist. TEAMtalk said other reports on 22 October revealed Hurzeler had no intention of leaving Brighton for Manchester United.
TEAMtalk said its exclusive update was that Emery had serious admiration at Old Trafford, but luring him away mid-season would be incredibly difficult. TEAMtalk also said it had revealed earlier in the week that the prospect of taking charge of Manchester United held genuine appeal for Howe, who was ready to return to management. TEAMtalk said Conte had already hinted at a return to the Premier League.
Conte talks claim and calls for wider change
A report from La Repubblica claimed that Manchester United had already held talks with Conte. The report said Conte wanted 'carte blanche on the transfer market' to replace Carrick. La Repubblica said: "He wants to influence the team’s construction, identify players who are key to his game, and have trusted collaborators at his side."
The report said Manchester United chiefs were 'evaluating' Conte's requests and weighing up whether to turn the 'dialogue' into 'concrete negotiations'. According to The Mail, some sources close to Manchester United believed the club needed to act decisively and that wholesale changes were required beyond Carrick's future. One source reportedly close to 'a first team player' said: "It needs to start at the top," Another source reportedly said: "This needs a strong board to make hard decisions fast. They’ve already wasted too much time." According to The Mail, Manchester United had stressed that 'Vivell and Wilcox maintain a healthy relationship even in such trying circumstances, but many close to the dressing room are telling a different story.'