Man Utd Axe Michael Carrick Without Hesitation Following Como's Crushing Defeat

Despite Manchester United's terrible start to the season, Michael Carrick is reportedly not facing the sack just yet.

The heat has been steadily building on the English manager with every week the Red Devils go without a victory, and he finds himself firmly in the crosshairs following the club's humiliating 4–1 loss to Como on Wednesday.

United have now gone seven games without a win across all competitions, with just two victories in 2026–27 — both coming against newly promoted Ipswich Town and Champions League newcomers Sabah.

Previous managers have been dismissed for far less, yet Carrick woke up Thursday morning still at the helm. The Daily Mail reports it's "business as usual" for the manager, who is expected to take his customary pregame press conference on Friday ahead of United's league fixture against Bournemouth.

Carrick will undoubtedly face further questions about his position, as well as any additional remarks regarding Bruno Fernandes's explosive comments about the team's approach in the heavy Como defeat.

Man Utd's Potentially Sinister Reason for Keeping Carrick

From the outside, it appears the club still believes Carrick can reverse the Red Devils' poor run of form, despite public criticism from the likes of Fernandes and Lisandro Martínez.

That's difficult to dispute, particularly after United chose not to part ways with Carrick in the wake of Wednesday's Champions League catastrophe. The manner of the defeat, combined with their other recent results and displays, would have provided more than sufficient grounds to dismiss the 45-year-old.

However, the club may have hidden motives for keeping Carrick in the dugout at least through this weekend's Bournemouth fixture. The Daily Mail suggests the decision "buys United time" to secure a suitable replacement.

Antonio Conte and Julian Nagelsmann are the two most prominent names being linked with the role, alongside Fabian Hürzeler.

A new appointment would represent the eighth permanent manager in United's dugout since the iconic Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down in 2013.

The Games Don't Get Easier for Man Utd

Carrick and United are in desperate need of a boost, but their fixture list shows no mercy. It's hardly encouraging when the club's best opportunity for a win before the November international break comes against Bournemouth — a side that has taken points off the Red Devils in each of their last six encounters.

After that, the 20-time English champions travel to Stamford Bridge, where the likes of Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, and João Pedro will be eager to exploit United's shaky defensive unit.

Following Chelsea comes a Champions League showdown with Roma, who have dropped just one match this season — a game against Real Madrid they arguably should have won — across all competitions. Rounding off the run is a home tie against an Aston Villa side that appears to have rediscovered their rhythm after a sluggish start to the campaign.

By the time United return from the international break to face Liverpool at Anfield, their situation could be considerably worse than it already is.

Man Utd's Next Five Fixtures