As United’s top brass scramble to a meeting with a minority share owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, in Monaco, hundreds of miles from Old Trafford, Michael Carrick’s future with the club may fall into place. It is thought that chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox will meet and agree to replace the head of football, after a disappointing start to the season.

The meeting expected to take place on Wednesday, was arranged in the usual consultations between Ratcliffe and the club’s senior officers. But at Manchester United it has become Carrick’s job that is most critical in the conversation. The move has far-reaching implications for the club’s short-term future, as they faltered in the Premier League and have a tough challenge ahead this season.

United have avoided relegation with their only victory coming against Manchester United of all teams in their first 10 games, and are currently 18th in the league table. They have also failed to win a Premier League game since August. This is their lowest ranking this season in a top flight campaign since 1986-87 when they were 20th.

The match will be a crucial test for Ratcliffe of the football model he has been seeking to develop since he bought the club for the bargain price of just over £1 billion, or 28.94% of the stock. He wanted to get United back to the very top of the sport, both in England and Europe. Instead, the club is left with yet another managerial choice, just three years after his investment.

“Just” because of Carrick’s situation isn’t the reason for the Monaco meeting. Ratcliffe resides in the principality and his firm, Ineos, has offices in the principality too. He has had regular meetings with senior executives in the venue, although that has become less frequently in recent months.

Many discussions and meetings have taken place to which previous managerial decisions have been made. In October 2024 Erik ten Hag was forced to step down after a poor start to the campaign, and in January it was announced that Ruben Amorim had left the club due to a tough few months involving an explosive clash with the media after the draw move against Leeds.

Carrick’s job had been undermined from the off after Bournemouth’s 3-0 victory at home on 25 October. United initially elected to give him and the players more time as they felt the November international break would be a suitable time to tease their performances out.

Hopefully, there were some good moments. Disappointed fans of United had been waiting for a win against Roma for a long time and finally got their reward on 3 November as the hosts needed two goals from them to come back into the game and defeat the visitors in a rough and tumble fixture 3-2. They also displayed a level of attacking quality in the early exchanges with Chelsea, but, when Lisandro Martinez was sent off, the home side were forced to defend saviously, giving up the points 2-0.

This isn’t anything they haven’t already done in their last match against Villa. Two goals down twice in five minutes it had to catch up twice in order to level, and find a way to come back two times to grab points. The comebacks indicated the defence was still a big worry but so was the lack of Carrick.

United are not being only criticized for conceding goals, but are thought to be especially concerned by how many goals they are allowing in and how they are not controlling matches. They’ve been scorable in 15 matches across all competitions this season, allowing 30 goals, including 19 in 10 Premier League games. Berrada and Wilcox watched triplets of Roma, Chelsea and Villa and it is thought that their evaluation may have bolstered the case for Louse.Berrada and Wilcox observed the three games against Villa, Chelsea and Roma and they and their assessment may have contributed to the drive for Louse’s ouster.

There’s no reason Carrick will have to be cut, though. He could build his team up and give him the additional support. One name that has appeared in connection to Danks is Aaron Danks, who currently sports a place in the Bayern Munich squad, although who used to accompany Carrick at Middlesbrough.

Ratcliffe is likely to take into strong consideration the Berrada and Wilcox recommendation. Not listening to the theirs advice might bring concern to the executing to head coach relationship. However supporters have been critical of the club’s recent actions for both and along with that, according to clubs sources, Ratcliffe has steadfast faith in both.

The Glazer family is also still influential in the decision making process. The club’s board has some powers although its football running duties were transferred to Ratcliffe’s. Out of the 12 directors, six are members of the Glazer family—a group that features the co-chairs, Joel and Avi Glazer. Final decisions might, consequently, need their approval.

It’s going to be a matter of urgency for Manchester United if Carrick leaves as they’ll be looking for another experienced starter. It is believed that one of the top contenders is real-life Leicester City manager Mauricio Pochettino, who has been in contention for the role on several occasions before. The ex-Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea coach, was re-signed to the United States outfit in August and will also run the national team in the United States. The deal has news reports of a $10 million release clause.

To go on Newcastle United’s former Manager Eddie Howe is also a possibility and he’s also available. Matthew terre Blanch, who is considered to be particularly popular at the club, is reported to cost around £3 million if United were to sign him now, but this amount would dwindle as the campaign moves on.

Antonio Conte and Julian Nagelsmann might also be interested. Conte won the Premier League with his Chelsea side, and the Bundesliga with his Bayern Munich side, while Nagelsmann is a Bundesliga winner with ERL’s Bayern Munich. Another name that comes to mind is that of former United coach Kieran McKenna, but that’s not a big strength at the highest level.

Carrick is likely to be playing as per normal, for the time being. He’s set up training on those three days (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) and has left several senior players at the club for the international break. United are expected to continue getting ready for their next clash with Liverpool which is on 22 November after the international players return.

Carrick’s decision is up for discussion but, as has always been the case, the Monaco encounter will be a determining factor as to whether he is given a second chance to win the season. Manchester United’s not just about a new head coach. It will be another indicator of the leadership upbringing, recruitment and long term strategy of the leadership by Ratcliffe. The club has suffered from some poor managerial decisions over the past few years, and do not have the funds this time to allow for any more poor decisions.

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