Manchester United’s season has reached another worrying crossroads, with the club struggling to turn last season’s promise into consistent results.

Michael Carrick guided the Red Devils to a third-place Premier League finish after taking charge midway through the season, raising expectations that the team could build on that progress.

Instead, United have stumbled through a difficult start, with their performances exposing familiar weaknesses and raising fresh questions about the club’s direction.

Their early-season struggles have also revived concerns about whether the squad has enough quality and depth to compete consistently on multiple fronts.

Away from the pitch, tensions have surfaced between players, coaching staff and the club’s recruitment department, adding to the sense of instability at Old Trafford.

With supporters demanding answers and results deteriorating, Michael Carrick is approaching a crucial period in his tenure.

Manchester United begin search for Michael Carrick replacement

Manchester United have now begun identifying potential replacements for Carrick, with Eddie Howe, Antonio Conte and Julian Nagelsmann among the names reportedly being considered, according to the BBC.

Carrick is still expected to lead United against Bournemouth on Sunday and has reportedly not been informed of any imminent change.

However, Wednesday’s 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como has intensified scrutiny of his position, with United now seven matches without a victory across all competitions.

The loss in Italy was particularly damaging because United conceded inside the opening minutes and struggled to contain Cesc Fabregas’ side throughout the match.

Nico Paz scored twice, while Anastasios Douvikas and Jacobo Ramon also found the net.

Joshua Zirkzee’s late consolation did little to disguise another deeply concerning performance.

The result followed a 2-0 defeat away to Atletico Madrid, after which Lisandro Martinez publicly questioned the club’s summer recruitment and called on technical director Jason Wilcox to provide greater investment.

Martinez later apologised for the timing and manner of his comments following discussions with Carrick and the club’s leadership.

Fernandes then added to the uncertainty after the Como defeat by questioning United’s approach without the ball.

The captain suggested the team needed to press more aggressively, directing responsibility for the tactical decisions towards the coaching staff.

Carrick responded by stressing that effort and running remained essential, regardless of the system employed.

Those incidents have placed the manager in an increasingly difficult position, although not everyone at United reportedly believes another managerial change is the answer.

Some senior figures are said to feel that repeated changes in the dugout have failed to address the club’s deeper problems, while Carrick’s previous success has strengthened the argument for giving him more time.

Conte and Nagelsmann are reportedly interested in the opportunity, while Howe is another name under consideration.

Unai Emery and Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler are also admired, although persuading their current clubs to release them could prove complicated.

Carrick’s immediate task is to steady United before Bournemouth visit Old Trafford.

But with potential successors already being discussed, another poor result could make an already uncertain situation considerably more difficult to ignore.