Man Utd Round-Up, Thursday 22nd October: Carrick Clings on as Fernandes Row Engulfs Old Trafford After Como Humiliation
Manchester United's hierarchy spent Thursday weighing up Michael Carrick's future after Wednesday's humiliating 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como, but the club have not rushed into sacking him (Evening Standard) (Manchester Evening News). Sky Sports and BBC Sport both report that Carrick is expected to remain in charge for Sunday's "pivotal" match against Bournemouth despite growing concern among club bosses (BBC Sport) (Sky Sports). The Athletic's Laurie Whitwell, speaking to BBC Sport, suggested United don't actually want to sack Carrick, arguing the club's problems run deeper than the head coach himself (BBC Sport). BBC Sport's Jay Motty, however, said the Como defeat "feels like the end" for Carrick (BBC Sport), while Manchester Evening News noted the club have historically not taken long to swing the axe once a decision is made (Manchester Evening News).
Behind the scenes, United are already exploring potential successors. Manchester Evening News reports that Ineos have made enquiries about 12 managers, with three currently available (Manchester Evening News), while a separate report says an approach has been made for Julian Nagelsmann (Manchester Evening News). The Guardian names Unai Emery and Nagelsmann as the leading targets, though compensation could complicate a move for Villa's Emery (The Guardian) - a stance seemingly backed up by talkSPORT, who say Emery to United is "off the table" after Guillem Balague suggested Villa remains the perfect fit for the Spaniard (talkSPORT). Manchester Evening News also reports a five-man shortlist has been drawn up, with bosses said to be "stunned" by the Como performance (Manchester Evening News), while The Guardian has run the rule over other possible contenders for the Old Trafford hot seat (The Guardian). Elsewhere, Ruben Amorim has reportedly made his feelings on the United job clear after returning to England (Manchester Evening News), and Manchester Evening News recalled how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sensed his own United exit coming before a Carrick gesture (Manchester Evening News).
The defeat has also exposed a growing rift between Carrick and his captain. Bruno Fernandes publicly criticised the head coach's tactics after the Como game, and BBC Sport reports he will keep the armband and face no disciplinary action (BBC Sport), a decision Manchester Evening News also confirms (Manchester Evening News). Carrick is said to have hit back and disagreed with Fernandes' assessment (Manchester Evening News), and Manchester Evening News claims statistics actually back up Carrick's view of the players' performance (Manchester Evening News). The fallout has been fierce: Fernandes has been branded a "horrible teammate" by critics picking apart his interview (Manchester Evening News), BBC Sport's debate piece asks whether his comments were becoming of a captain (BBC Sport), and Manchester Evening News argues an apology from Fernandes is the least the club captain owes Carrick (Manchester Evening News). The Guardian went further, citing a source who described Fernandes as "toxic" and linking his outburst to a wider culture of entitlement at the club, also referencing previous unrest from Lisandro Martínez (The Guardian). Elsewhere, Manchester Evening News reports a new theory has been put to the board over what Fernandes' comments "expose" about United (Manchester Evening News), and that players have received a furious message following the defeat (Manchester Evening News). Sky Sports and BBC Sport both broke down the tactical arguments to assess who was right, Carrick or Fernandes (BBC Sport) (Sky Sports).
Away from the tactical row, there was already criticism of United's finances and squad-building, with Manchester Evening News citing a new stat that leaves club bosses red-faced over the Como loss (Manchester Evening News), and Evening Standard running through what it considers INEOS' biggest mistakes since taking charge, from a poor Premier League finish to redundancies (Evening Standard). Cesc Fabregas added to United's embarrassment by revealing a regret of his own after Como's win (Manchester Evening News). On a lighter note for United followers, Bruno Fernandes had his £4m home burgled by a masked gang while he was in Italy with the squad, as confirmed by both Manchester Evening News and BBC Sport (Manchester Evening News) (BBC Sport).
In academy news, Manchester Evening News' latest Academy Notebook reports a midfielder has returned to Carrington from a loan spell, watched on by Ryan Giggs (Manchester Evening News).
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