Manchester United set to sack Michael Carrick after poor run
Following a disappointing Champions League night and a series of weak results, reports say the club has decided to dismiss the former player.
Champions League night produced shocks across Europe — Bayern drew 3:3 with Viking in Norway and Inter were beaten at home by Club Brugge — but it was Manchester United's display in Madrid that dominated headlines, and seemingly finished the brief managerial tenure of Michael Carrick.
United were beaten by Atlético Madrid in a difficult away fixture, but supporters were left stunned by the manner of the performance. The club have gone five matches without a win and have managed only two victories in nine games so far this season.
Board reportedly moves to dismiss Carrick
According to reports from British media, the club's board has decided to relieve Carrick of his duties this evening. There has been no formal announcement yet, but those reports state the former United player will no longer sit on the first-team bench.
Legendary goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel urged the club to act immediately: "Michael Carrick is not the man who can take Manchester United back to the top. The board should sack him today or tomorrow. This cannot go on any longer. This is a complete disaster and a real torment."
Schmeichel added bluntly: "Carrick has no tactics, and on the pitch he always looks completely lost, as if he does not know at all what he should do."
Wayne Rooney also lost patience: "If Carrick had been Manchester United's manager at the end of the 2000s, the club would by now be playing in the fourth tier of English football. He is simply not capable of leading this club. Manchester United is too big a bite for him. He had a brilliant playing career, but his managerial career is very poor. Manchester United must sack him as soon as possible."
Some United fans have already begun celebrating what they expect to be his exit, posting messages such as "it's finally over" and "it's finally time to see the real United again." Names mentioned as possible successors include Antonio Conte, Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Unai Emery.
Photo: Manchester Junajted\/Fejsbuk
