Carrick future on agenda for Manchester United meeting in Monaco

Manchester United will discuss head coach Michael Carrick’s future at a meeting in Monaco on Wednesday, according to BBC Sport. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are due to attend, with the club sitting 18th in the Premier League.

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BBC Sport reported that Berrada and Wilcox would present their recommendation, although a decision might not arrive until Thursday. The meeting was already scheduled rather than convened solely to address the manager’s position. Strengthening Carrick’s coaching staff is also expected to be among the matters discussed, the report said.

No dismissal has been confirmed. According to the BBC, United would want to tell Carrick in person if they decided to remove him. He signed a two-year contract last summer, but United have won only once in their opening 10 league games this season, their poorest top-flight start since 1986-87.

The immediate backdrop is Sunday’s 4-4 home draw with Aston Villa. In its reporting from Old Trafford, BBC Sport described United recovering from a two-goal deficit twice. They were still 4-2 behind entering stoppage time before Joshua Zirkzee scored in the 92nd minute and Patrick Dorgu equalised in the 96th, securing a point after defeat had appeared close.

That recovery did not end United’s league winless run, which stretches back to their victory over Ipswich on 30 August. BBC Sport’s match coverage also recorded 15 goals conceded across their previous five games. Against Villa, United were already two goals behind after three minutes and 40 seconds, the earliest they had faced that deficit in a Premier League match.

Carrick rejected the suggestion that he might walk away when questioned after the draw, BBC Sport reported. Dorgu also expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s position despite scoring the equaliser and called for the players to respond together. United now enter the international break in the relegation zone, with their next league assignment a visit to Liverpool at Anfield on 22 November.