Manchester United have reportedly held exploratory conversations with representatives of potential replacements for Michael Carrick while continuing to back him. The club's assessment of whether he remains in charge is still to come.
Pressure after recent results
Carrick was widely expected to be sacked after Manchester United were beaten 3-0 at home by Bournemouth in the Premier League on 25 October, but INEOS decided to keep him in charge. Manchester United then lost 2-0 away at Chelsea before beating Roma 3-2 in the Champions League.
Future review and Aston Villa visit
Manchester United director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada will reassess Carrick's future at the start of the international break. Aston Villa are due to visit Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
New managerial options
The i Paper reported that Manchester United's hierarchy had contacted several managerial alternatives over the past few weeks, including Eddie Howe, but had not directly approached any of them and had only held exploratory conversations with their representatives. TEAMtalk said Stuttgart boss Sebastian Hoeness and former France manager Didier Deschamps had emerged as new options.
Miguel Delaney of The Independent reported that Hoeness is highly rated by Manchester United chiefs. Foot Mercato claimed that Deschamps had been approached by Manchester United as they considered their options.
Further work on replacements
TEAMtalk's sources state that Wilcox remains firmly behind Carrick and is in no rush to make a change. TEAMtalk also reports that Manchester United have repeatedly scouted a Rennes player, that work on potential replacements has continued and that a move for Cesc Fabregas is no longer regarded as entirely impossible.
Miguel Delaney added that Bayern Munich chiefs do not speak highly of Julian Nagelsmann, which has seemingly put Manchester United off a move for him.
