"An absolute mess": Sacking Carrick is necessary for Man Utd

Manchester United could be looking for its third manager this year as pressure on Michael Carrick increases after a humiliating 0-3 defeat to Bournemouth.

The results - United's sixth loss in 12 games - leaves them 16th on the Premier League table and two points from bottom.

The knives were already out for the former United captain after their disastrous 1-4 defeat to Como in the Champions League last week.

Asked about his future after the Bournemouth result, Carrick said: “I totally understand the situation. I’m not expecting anything either way.

“I’m carrying on as normal. I love this place. I’ll always do what I feel is going to be the best for the football club and I won’t change that now, whatever decision is made.

“It’s a tough situation, there’s no hiding from it. What it looks like and what’s next I really don’t know. I love what I do and I feel the responsibility – we’ll have to wait and see.

"I take responsibility. I respect the position that I’m in and the responsibility is mine. What else can I say really right now?”

Amid speculation of in-fighting and issues between the manager and captain Bruno Fernandes, former United defender Gary Neville said the writing is on the wall.

“It’s going to be ridiculously difficult for Carrick to be Manchester United manager moving forward," the player-turned-pundit said on Sky Sports.

"Those two (Berrada and Wilcox) are probably going to make a decision that will disgust Manchester United fans but is probably necessary. It’s just an absolute mess. The football club is a mess right now.”

Fernandes was dropped for the trip to take on the Cherries and was an unused sub in the game.

Oct 22

The knives are out for Michael Carrick as speculation mounts the Manchester United manager is facing the sack after a disastrous 4-1 defeat in the Champions League.

The former United captain, who was handed a two-year deal earlier this year after helping the side to finish third in the league last season, issued an apology to the 700 travelling fans who watched in horror as the side slumped to the embarrassing loss against Como.

Amid the serious doubts over his future, there are also concerns of in-fighting at the club after Bruno Fernandes appeared to call out the manager’s tactics.

Side-stepping questions on his future after the game, Carrick explained why he had approached the fans.

“It’s not about me right now and my feelings in that regard,” he said. “I’m bitterly disappointed, I’m frustrated, more than frustrated, I’m really angry, to be honest.

“You’ve got to deal with what’s next and see what that looks like. There’s a lot to do before that next game to get the team ready, because that was a difficult night for everyone.

“I have to apologise to the supporters. I went over to them at the end because I care about this club as much as anyone, if not more. And for us to play in that way is not acceptable.

"Tonight was the total opposite of a performance, and it was tough to watch. There’s a lot going through my mind watching that.

“It’s difficult to understand how it can be so different. We can all have poor performances, but to do it in that manner is really not right at all.”

United have won just one game from seven so far this season and sit 13th on the Premier League table.

Any change in leadership would see the club search for their ninth manager (interim, caretaker or permanent) in 10 years.