Michael Carrick’s future as Manchester United head coach goes to Monaco on Wednesday, and BBC Sport reports that the club are also weighing a softer option than a sacking: adding coaching support around the current team. The same BBC report says it is still expected that chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox will recommend that the head coach goes, and nothing has been announced by the club.

The alternative to a sacking

The BBC says one option under consideration is bolstering the staff instead of replacing Carrick. It names Bayern Munich coach Aaron Danks, who worked with Carrick at Middlesbrough and was touted as a possible appointment in the summer, as one candidate for that kind of role. It is one option, and the BBC still expects the recommendation to be that the head coach goes. The same report says the assumption inside the club is that the Berrada and Wilcox recommendation will be accepted, because overruling it would raise serious questions over their own futures, and the BBC adds that Sir Jim Ratcliffe remains supportive of both.

The reason behind the recommendation is defensive. United have conceded 30 goals in 15 games this season, the BBC says: 19 in 10 Premier League matches, eight in four Champions League games and three in their one Carabao Cup tie. Berrada and Wilcox were at the Roma, Chelsea and Villa matches and, according to the BBC, concluded that the chaotic nature of those games and the failure to stop opponents scoring means a change of coach is needed.

What the Monaco meeting involves

Past Monaco meetings are described by the BBC as morning sessions lasting three to four hours that tend to end on time so Ratcliffe can go for his lunchtime jog. The BBC also notes that the travel complicates matters, because Berrada and Wilcox would prefer to deliver any decision to Carrick in person. It says he understands the form has made discussions over his future inevitable.

How United have handled this before

The BBC points out that the last two sackings did not come from a Monaco meeting. Ruben Amorim went 19 hours after his media conference following a 1-1 draw at Leeds in January. Erik ten Hag went a day after the defeat at West Ham. Ten Hag had survived an earlier decision to sack him in summer 2024, reversed after the FA Cup final win over Manchester City. Amorim was summoned to Monaco after the Europa League final defeat to Tottenham in 2025.

The context is the league table. United are 18th, in the relegation zone, with one win from their first 10 games and none since August, the BBC reports. It is their lowest position this far into a top-flight season since 1986-87, when they were 20th. The hierarchy still believe a top-five finish is possible. Carrick won 12 of 17 games as interim head coach and was given a two-year contract in the summer.

The names linked with the job

BBC Sport reported in October that United sounded out Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann. Antonio Conte is known to be keen, and multiple sources told the BBC that Mauricio Pochettino is open to the job. Pochettino extended his USA contract in August, and the deal is thought to include clauses allowing him to leave for specific high-profile jobs. The USA play Haiti in a two-legged Concacaf Nations League tie on 14 and 18 November. Our predicted XIs show how each could line up this squad: Pochettino, Howe and Nagelsmann. These are predictions, not reports.

The next fixture is Liverpool away on Sunday 22 November at 16:30, then United host Brentford on Saturday 28 November at 15:00.

Carrick Man Utd decision: FAQ

Is Carrick being sacked?

It is reported, not confirmed. The BBC says the expected recommendation is for him to go, and a decision may not be announced until Thursday.

Could Carrick stay with extra coaches?

The BBC says additional coaching support is another option under consideration, with Aaron Danks named as one possibility. It does not say that route is favoured.

Who decides?

Ratcliffe, Berrada and Wilcox meet in Monaco on Wednesday, and the BBC says the Glazers will also be consulted.