Michael Carrick has two more matches at Manchester United before he loses his job - then the circus will continue with another manager.

That is the view of talkSPORT's Henry Winter, who thinks the international break will prove the optimal time to cut the cord.

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Carrick appeared destined for the sack at Old Trafford after the club fell to a 3-0 loss at home to Bournemouth last weekend.

However, talkSPORT revealed that the Man United board being split over whether to hire Eddie Howe or Julian Nagelsmann played a part in the decision to keep him on for the time being.

That decision came under further scrutiny when the Red Devils were then beaten 2-0 by Chelsea on Saturday afternoon.

It was a result that meant that Man United have now gone nine matches without a win for the first time since 1988.

Despite that latest setback, Carrick is expected to be in the dugout on Tuesday night against Roma, talkSPORT understands.

Football journalist Winter believes the stay of execution won't extend much beyond next week, with Man United hosting high-flying Aston Villa in their final match before the November international break.

Carrick predicted to lose his job in the break

Asked what Carrick does next to bounce back from the Chelsea defeat, Winter told Shaun on talkSPORT's Sunday Edition: "You go into the Roma game. You prepare for that.

"The irony of that is that it was probably one of his best ever performances as a Manchester United player [in the 7-1].

"He scored twice, and he was fantastic...And then he limps on into the Aston Villa game and probably loses his job in the international break.

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"We know what international breaks are like in the rhythm of managers; if they're going through a difficult time, it gives the club opportunity and time to get someone in.

"And also you have the risk of if an incumbent manager is staying on during the international break, and there are dark clouds over his head - those players who go off on international break.

"You know what we're like [the media]. I would imagine the Portuguese journalists before they got Denmark and Wales and the Argentinian journalists before the Uruguayans and Costa Rica.

"They will be talking respectively to Bruno Fernandes, and to Lisandro Martinez, and say, 'What do you think of this Carrick character?'

"And of course, the sort of headlines emanating from those international camps, and other ones, are just a bit too much.

"So you'd imagine that at some point the club will make a decision on Michael Carrick, and then the whole circus will just continue with another manager until you sort out the ownership."

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Man United need to clear the squad out

The Red Devils were competitive at Stamford Bridge until Martinez was sent off at the start of the second half.

It is the latest negative talking point from a senior pro in the squad, with captain Bruno Fernandes also publicly criticising Carrick's tactics, resulting in him being dropped for last Sunday's loss to Bournemouth.

Winter added to talkSPORT: "That squad needs just a huge clear-out.

"And it's not Michael Carrick's fault that he started the season when he needed a left back and a striker and he was given three midfielders - two of whom probably are not up to it!

"[Carlos] Baleba, I haven't got a problem with, although he got caught out. It's not Carrick's fault that Amad Diallo didn't put those chances away.

"It's not Michael Carrick's fault that Lisandro Martinez behaved the way he did.

"It's not Michael Carrick's fault that three experienced players allowed Morgan Rogers to fly straight through the middle of them.

"So look, you can get rid of the coach, but you're not getting rid of the overall problem."