Michael Carrick takes training as Man Utd decision makers ponder his future

Michael Carrick took training on Tuesday as Manchester United’s powerbrokers drag their heels over the beleaguered head coach’s future ahead of a key meeting in Monaco.

The former midfielder’s days in charge appear to be numbered after overseeing the club’s worst start to a campaign since 1986, leaving the Red Devils in the relegation zone over the international break.

United, who languish in 18th, are using the two-week hiatus to review Carrick’s position and consider alternatives, with the head coach widely expected to lose his job following discussions.

But Old Trafford sources remained adamant on Tuesday lunchtime that no decision had been made after the 45-year-old reported to the Carrington training complex earlier that day to take training.

Carrick’s future is set to be decided 800 miles away from Manchester in Monaco, where director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada are due to give their views to United’s ownership.

A meeting is reportedly scheduled in the principality on Wednesday with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, whose Ineos company controls football operations and would sign off a change at the top with the Glazers.

United are keeping tight-lipped on the process and relevant meetings, which is only prolonging the agony for popular former midfielder Carrick, who made 464 appearances for the club between 2006 and 2018.

Mauricio Pochettino, the former Tottenham, Paris St Germain and Chelsea boss, has emerged as the leading contender to replace him.

The former Argentina international has held talks with United in the past and is understood to be interested in the Old Trafford post, but hefty compensation would be due for the United States boss.

Just three months ago Pochettino and his staff extended their deals until 2030 and are currently in Georgia preparing for Nations League quarter-final fixtures against Haiti on Saturday and Tuesday.

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is admired, while ex-Newcastle boss Eddie Howe and former Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann were linked a fortnight ago when United seriously considered replacing Carrick.

A 4-1 Champions League loss at Como and 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth left the head coach’s job hanging by a thread, but the club decided to give him the opportunity to turn the situation around.

Carrick’s side subsequently lost 2-0 at Chelsea, where they were unable to take their chances and saw Lisandro Martinez sent off, before last Tuesday’s thrilling 3-2 Champions League comeback win against Roma.

A scarcely believable 4-4 draw against Aston Villa followed on Sunday, after which the head coach stressed he would not walk away and was looking to the international break as usual.

“It’s been a right mixed week or two or three, really, if you’re looking at the events,” Carrick said. “But I’m pretty clear where we need to go and how we need to get there.

“Obviously some of the boys will be flying off around the world and different things, and the group will be split for 10 days or so.

“But as a normal international week is, you know, we’ll have some training. We’ll have one or two days off, but not too much. But we’ll train, and we’ll get ready for the next game.”

United return to action with a Premier League trip to rivals Liverpool on November 22.