Director of football Jason Wilcox is reportedly keen to appoint Eddie Howe, while recruitment head Christopher Vivell would favour a move for Julian Nagelsmann.

Interestingly, the consensus among supporters isn't as clear-cut. Thousands of fans chanted Carrick's name after the Bournemouth defeat before turning on the United players after he had walked down the tunnel.

The opinions of Express Sport readers are split, too, with only 57 per cent of respondents to our latest poll believing Carrick should be sacked.

The remaining 43 per cent of voters said that he shouldn't be relieved of his duties, with the majority of the blame lying elsewhere.

He said: "A few of them aren't that professional. I live in Manchester. Some of them aren't that professional, so I've got no time for them.

"There's a few of them that don't go to bed at the right time, don't eat the right things, don't think about Manchester United every single minute of every day, and aren't living and breathing this football club as they should be and as professionals should."

Jamie Carragher, meanwhile, suggested that Carrick's position had become untenable despite the 45-year-old being let down by his players.

"It’s absolutely rancid, that dressing room," said the former Liverpool defender. "Carrick needs to be put out of his misery tonight. Manchester United need to make that change tonight, they need to make that decision.

"The fans have taken the side of Michael Carrick and it’s not about him being the manager, it’s about him being a huge figure in United’s history.

"But also, Manchester United as a football club, one of the biggest in the world, are 16th in the Premier League right now and that can’t continue.

"Michael Carrick needs to be relieved of his duties tonight, not just for the good of Manchester United, but also for the good of Michael Carrick."

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