Michael Carrick has one more match before the international break to strengthen his case for staying in Man United‘s dugout.
Aston Villa visit Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, with the home side still searching for a league victory after a miserable run of results.
Tuesday’s escape against Roma gave the supporters something to celebrate, and it also left Carrick with a chance to show that his players can turn an emotional European comeback into a sustained run of form.
United have gone seven Premier League matches without winning and sit 17th, with seven points from nine games, and they have also failed to keep a league clean sheet this season, leaving their attack little margin for error.
Carrick continued his preparations on Friday while the club’s next managerial decision remained the subject of debate.
|
Carrick’s record at Man Utd this season |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Competition |
Played |
Won |
Drawn |
Lost |
Goals scored |
Goals conceded |
Win rate |
|
Premier League |
9 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
10 |
15 |
11.1% |
|
Champions League |
4 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
8 |
8 |
50.0% |
|
Carabao Cup |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
0% |
|
Total |
14 |
3 |
4 |
7 |
20 |
26 |
21.4% |
Sky Sports reported on Thursday that Carrick still has support among United’s decision makers, although another caretaker appointment would be unlikely if they choose to replace him.
That leaves the result against Villa carrying plenty of weight without making a managerial change inevitable, and there are selection headaches to deal with first.
Carlos Baleba’s hamstring injury will keep him out for several weeks, Carrick confirmed on Friday, removing a midfield option just when United need to find some consistency.
Lisandro Martinez is suspended following his dismissal at Chelsea, while Patrick Dorgu has returned to training but still needs to be assessed.
Carrick has stressed that the Roma win must be followed by more, while arguing that there have been encouraging passages in recent performances.
Villa have their own reason to demand a reaction after losing 3-0 at Barcelona in midweek. For United, the challenge is to produce a calmer afternoon than Tuesday’s frantic recovery, when they needed Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha to overturn a two-goal deficit.
Decisions about the manager will dominate the next few days, but the club also have to consider who will be creating chances for them further down the line.
Man Utd make Morgan Gibbs-White approach as Bruno Fernandes future remains unresolved
According to TEAMtalk’s Graeme Bailey, United have made enquiries about signing Nottingham Forest playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White.
The report puts the England international among the options being assessed in case Bruno Fernandes eventually leaves Old Trafford.
Fernandes still favours staying, according to Bailey’s separate report this week, so United are preparing for several outcomes.
Forest, however, are determined to keep Gibbs-White and will not consider letting him leave in January. Oliver Glasner’s side want him helping to improve their league position, rather than strengthen a rival, and tied their ‘very underrated‘ star to a long-term £150,000-per-week deal.
Tottenham also remain interested, with Roberto De Zerbi keen to add the midfielder after Spurs’ unsuccessful pursuit in 2025.
Gibbs-White, 26, has spent years developing his game in the Premier League since leaving Wolves, giving prospective buyers plenty of evidence to judge after becoming a star at the City Ground.
For United, his appeal would be the chance to add someone already familiar with the division and comfortable carrying attacking responsibility.
Any serious pursuit would have to fit decisions over Fernandes, the manager and United’s spending plans.
Forest’s January position also leaves United needing either a change of heart in Nottingham or patience over the timing of a move.
