Jason Wilcox’s future takes twist as sympathy from Man Utd hierarchy revealed

Manchester United director of football Jason Wilcox is facing increasing scrutiny over his future at Old Trafford, with questions being asked of the club’s hierarchy amid a disastrous run of results.

The pressure on United’s senior figures intensified when Lisandro Martinez publicly suggested he expected more from Wilcox and the board this summer, with the Argentine expressing disappointment over the club’s investment in the playing squad following the defeat to Atletico Madrid.

While Michael Carrick’s position has dominated the headlines in recent days, attention is now turning towards those responsible for overseeing United’s football operations, with fresh reporting from BBC Sport shedding light on Wilcox’s increasingly uncertain future.

Man Utd consider Michael Carrick replacements

REUTERS/Chris Radburn

Carrick has been handed a reprieve by the Manchester United hierarchy despite Sunday’s humiliating 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth, which left the Red Devils languishing in 16th place in the Premier League table.

The former United midfielder, who was clapped off by the fans before they turned to boos towards the players, will remain in charge for Saturday’s trip to Chelsea.

His his longer-term future remains far from certain following a series of disappointing performances.

United also face Roma in the Champions League and host an in-form Aston Villa side before the November international break, which potentially provides an opportunity for the club’s decision-makers to reassess the managerial situation.

Should results fail to improve, Carrick could find himself out of a job ahead of the trip to Anfield immediately following the break, with United already exploring potential replacements.

Former Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe and ex-Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann are among the candidates considered by the Old Trafford hierarchy, while the likes of Unai Emery, Antonio Conte and Fabian Hurzeler have also been mentioned.

Howe is understood to be Wilcox’s preferred choice, while United’s director of recruitment Christopher Vivell favours Nagelsmann, and it is understood both coaches would be willing to end their breaks from football to come to Old Trafford.

Reports from Germany have suggested Nagelsmann could hold a significant advantage over Howe in any potential race between the pair, as the former Bayern Munich boss is available without a compensation fee.

That could prove significant given United’s previous expenditure on managerial changes, while appointing Howe would reportedly require a multi-million-pound compensation payment to Newcastle.

Jason Wilcox’s Man Utd future takes twist amid sympathy claims

However, the uncertainty surrounding Carrick has also raised serious questions about Wilcox’s position, with the director of football potentially facing the consequences of another managerial dismissal.

According to BBC Sport journalists Simon Stone, Sami Mokbel and Dan Roan, one source close to United believes it is inevitable that Wilcox will eventually lose his job if the club makes a third managerial change in as many seasons.

Despite that assessment, the report also reveals that there is sympathy for Wilcox, particularly given that he was not responsible for setting United’s summer transfer budget. That could prove an important consideration as the club’s hierarchy weighs up where responsibility lies for the current crisis.

Nevertheless, Wilcox is unlikely to escape criticism over United’s recent recruitment strategy after they shelled out £157m on signings this summer but failed to address weaknesses at left-back and centre-forward, with injuries to Luke Shaw and Benjamin Sesko further exposing those issues.

While there is an acknowledgement that suitable transfer targets were difficult to secure, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has also committed significant funds to United since taking control of football operations in early 2024.

Wilcox’s position therefore remains uncertain, with the sympathy surrounding his circumstances offering some balance to the suggestion that another managerial change would inevitably cost him his job.

Ratcliffe could consider wider Man Utd overhaul

Wilcox may not be the only senior figure whose position comes under threat if United’s struggles continue.

The BBC report adds that another senior figure within football believes both Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada could be vulnerable, suggesting Ratcliffe may be considering a wider overhaul of the club’s leadership.

For now, United’s immediate priority remains improving results under Carrick, but failure to turn their season around could have consequences extending well beyond the dugout.