Man Utd Week in Review, Monday 26th October: Carrick Under Severe Pressure as United Slump to Como Thrashing and Bournemouth Humbling
It has been a brutal week for Manchester United, with Michael Carrick's position looking increasingly shaky after back-to-back humiliations. United were thrashed 4-1 away at Como in the Champions League (ManUtd.com), with Carrick admitting afterwards that the performance was "not acceptable" (Sky Sports) and that he was "bitterly disappointed" (BBC Sport). Fans turned on him in the aftermath, with some calling for an immediate sacking (Evening Standard), and talkSPORT suggested the Como defeat could prove to be his final act in charge (talkSPORT). The squad were given a day off to regroup before returning to training (ESPN), while Carrick used a press conference to deliver an emotional, six-minute rallying cry about the situation (Evening Standard) and later insisted the club is "not an unmanageable club" (BBC Sport). Things did not improve from there - United followed up the Como disaster with a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth at Old Trafford, extending their winless run to eight matches in all competitions and leaving Carrick under severe pressure (BBC Sport) (Sky Sports). BBC pundits Toby Alderweireld and Ashley Williams felt the side lacked intensity and togetherness in that loss (BBC Sport), while Sky Sports noted opinion remains divided on the whole situation at the club, with Michael Carrick himself calling the draw at Leeds before this run a "fresh start" and Gary Neville a "stepping stone" (Sky Sports).
The dressing room mood has also been under scrutiny. Bruno Fernandes was seen to criticise Carrick's tactics after the Como defeat, having walked off visibly frustrated when substituted (talkSPORT), and Evening Standard described tension boiling over between Carrick and a costly United star (Evening Standard). Despite the outburst, United have reportedly decided not to strip Fernandes of the captaincy (TeamTalk), though BBC Sport examined the wider debate about whether his comments were fitting of a captain (BBC Sport). Carrick later dropped Fernandes for the Bournemouth game, with Jamie Carragher suggesting team-mates would be relieved not to be playing alongside him (Evening Standard) (Manchester Evening News), but that selection did not prevent defeat (Sky Sports). Wayne Rooney has also weighed in, predicting more unrest after Lisandro Martinez's own outburst, which he feels marked the start of the dressing room being "ripped apart" (Evening Standard). Lisandro Martinez was among those rated poorly by talkSPORT following the Como loss (talkSPORT). Elsewhere, Rooney was also seen showing good grace after his son Kai asked him to stay away from his matches (Manchester Evening News).
Speculation over Carrick's successor has intensified. Sky Sports reported United have drawn up a five-man shortlist (Sky Sports), Evening Standard named Eddie Howe as new favourite (Evening Standard), while talkSPORT said Unai Emery is now off the table with Aston Villa insisting he remains committed to their project (talkSPORT) (Sky Sports). Brighton have dismissed suggestions Fabian Hurzeler could depart for Old Trafford (Sky Sports) (TeamTalk), though TeamTalk claims a move for the Brighton boss could be back on with a fee being prepared for one of his wingers as part of the deal (TeamTalk). Julian Nagelsmann is reportedly someone technical director Jason Wilcox rates below other candidates (Manchester Evening News), and TeamTalk say United are now in talks with a "hardline" figure tipped to take over (TeamTalk).
On the injury front, United were without a host of players for the Como trip, with Manchester Evening News reporting nineteen absentees including Leny Yoro (Manchester Evening News) (Manchester Evening News), and further fitness concerns persisted ahead of the Bournemouth game with nine players missing (Manchester Evening News), including updates on Rashford and Martinez (Manchester Evening News). There were also transfer subplots: Erik ten Hag revealed he sold Scott McTominay to Napoli against his own wishes, with reports suggesting INEOS want him back (TeamTalk) (Manchester Evening News), while Ten Hag also spoke about Cristiano Ronaldo letting the team down during his time at Old Trafford (Evening Standard) (BBC Sport) and said Jadon Sancho's situation contributed to United overpaying for Antony (talkSPORT). Elsewhere, TeamTalk report Harry Maguire is set to stay at Old Trafford for another year (TeamTalk), while Willy Kambwala, now playing for Como, was the subject of a feature on why he left United (Manchester Evening News).
In the women's game, Manchester United Women's recent match against Liverpool was made available to watch back via club highlights (ManUtd.com).
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