Michael Carrick’s Man Utd future is a never-ending question after every game, and the latest after the Aston Villa fixture has dropped.

It was widely believed that Michael Carrick had two games to save his Man Utd manager job before the international break gave the board time to assess.

There are clear tactical issues and man-management problems, so even if the players haven’t downed tools, Carrick has questions to answer.

Arguably, Carrick shouldn’t even have been in charge of these two games against Roma and Villa, but Ineos simply don’t have a plan B.

Fabrizio Romano reports that the same has continued, and if anything, these two results have fortified the board’s commitment to Carrick.

He said on his YouTube channel: “Man Utd are not advancing on any solutions [replacements]. They have not contacted any other manager officially.

“Michael Carrick has very good chances to stay and have more opportunities after the international break. Then we also have to talk about the directors and other people at the club. This can’t only be the manager. There also has to be someone else. That’s very clear.”

Man Utd had Unai Emery under “serious consideration”

Romano also added that United’s planning was thrown a curveball because they considered Unai Emery as head and shoulders above every other candidate.

He said that Emery was under “serious consideration” by United, but he’s considered “untouchable” by Villa, and his extended contract will be finalised soon.

That has left United scrambling for solutions, which is hardly the sign of a competent club with their house and planning in order.

Extracting Emery mid-season was always going to be a tall task, especially due to United’s financial issues, so they are now stuck in a no-win position with Carrick.

The team is in the relegation zone, Carrick has clear tactical issues, and no winning alternative is emerging. This season is not a write-off, but only because there is a serious threat of relegation, which needs avoiding.