Manchester United's 2026/27 season is at risk of being over already after they were thrashed 4-1 by Como in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Michael Carrick's side turned in their worst performance of the season in Italy against the Serie A outfit, and made it seven games without a victory as a result, with Nico Paz (2), Anastasios Douvakis, and Jacobo Ramon netting for the hosts, while Joshua Zirkzee scored a consolation goal in injury time to restore some pride.

But the defeat means they have won just two of their 11 games in all competitions, which has left Carrick under serious pressure for his job, and with United already looking at potential candidates to replace him.

GIVEMESPORT sources understand that Carrick will take charge of the team against Bournemouth on Sunday, but there are several options being considered.

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler was reported to be a leading candidate, but sources understand he is not interested in leaving the Seagulls mid-season. Eddie Howe, Antonio Conte, Julian Nagelsmann, and Unai Emery are also understood to be options for United.

But while the clash against the Cherries at Old Trafford on Sunday could be crucial to his long-term future, there are other key figures at the club who are also facing major question marks over their future beyond this season.

• January 13, 2026 - Carrick named interim Manchester United manager after sacking of Ruben Amorim
• January 17, 2026 - Carrick oversees win over rivals Manchester City in first game in charge
• May 22, 2026 - Carrick named permanent Manchester United manager
• August 22, 2026 - United lose against new boys Hull City on the opening day of the 2026/27 Premier League season
• October 21, 2026 - United beaten by Como 4-1 in the Champions League - their seventh game without a win in all competitions

Lisandro Martinez's career at the club is in major doubt too, following his outburst after the defeat to Atletico Madrid last week, where he called out Jason Wilcox and the club hierarchy for a poor summer transfer window.

The Argentina international is currently set to be out of contract at the end of the season, although the club have the option to trigger a 12-month extension to extend his stay until 2028. But an exit looks likely, even if his deal does get extended, and INEOS are already planning for a defensive rebuild.

Another player whose future is in question is captain Bruno Fernandes. Much like Martinez, his contract is set to expire at the end of the season and has an option to extend by 12 months. But after he questioned Carrick's tactics after the Como game, and with talks stalling over a new deal, it's possible he moves on in the summer for a new challenge.

On paper that would be a huge problem for United, but it now feels as though they have just had the perfect view of the ideal replacements for both players in their squad right under their noses.

Ramon and Paz Would Be Perfect for New Era at Man Utd

United were absolutely battered by Como in the Champions League, and they were shown what modern football should look like by a young and exciting team.

Como are led by Nico Paz in attack, and he has shown his quality in recent campaigns and also earned himself the honour of replacing Lionel Messi as Argentina's next number 10. As a superb playmaker and goalscoring midfielder, that's the type of profile that United should be looking at to replace their captain, whether it's this summer or in the future.

Paz joined Como permanently in the summer from Real Madrid, but the Spanish side included an €80m (£67m) buy-back clause in the deal. United would likely have to pay more than that to sign him, but judging by his performances over the last two seasons, it would be worth every penny.

Defensively, Jarrad Branthwaite has been linked as a top target for the defence for a number of years, and that is likely to be revisited. But young defender Jacobo Ramon has established himself as one of the best young defenders in the world, and showed that he is more than capable of playing at the top level.

Ramon has been strongly linked with a move to the Premier League in recent months, but United should be looking very closely at getting a deal over the line for the Spaniard.

Both players are the perfect profile, and with a new era set to be entered in the coming months at Old Trafford, this would be an ideal way to kickstart that and for the owners to show they mean real business.