Results will have to turn around quickly if Carrick is to remain in charge, starting at the weekend against Chelsea. Following that, the Red Devils welcome Roma to Old Trafford in mid-week, before hosting Aston Villa ahead of the November international break.

But while they might currently find themselves in crisis mode, United’s transfer chiefs are already looking ahead to the January transfer window. And that includes fixing one of the biggest holes in their squad at left-back.

United were in the market for reinforcements at left-back in the summer, with Lewis Hall the club’s primary target. They were unable to agree a deal with Newcastle, which left the 20-time champions with little time to explore alternative options.

One of the options was Rayan Ait-Nouri of rivals City, who United are said to have launched a move for on deadline day. That didn’t materialise, but given Ait-Nouri’s minutes have been very limited at the start of this season, the talk of a move away doesn’t seem to be dying down.

City boss Enzo Maresca was quizzed on Ait-Nouri after the mid-week win over Brighton in the Carabao Cup. He said: “He’s a clear full-back. In that position, we have Josko [Gvardiol], who is doing fantastic, we have Nico [O’Reilly], who when he is fit is doing fantastic; and he’s the same position so it’s just competition between them.”

It’s suggested Ait-Nouri would be open to a switch across the Manchester divide, should an opportunity arise. He would be the first player to transfer between the two clubs since Owen Hargreaves made the switch in 2011.