Sunday’s clash between Manchester United and Aston Villa has assumed greater significance for Michael Carrick, according to a report which claims a heavy defeat will see the axe fall.

International breaks often serve as the perfect time for clubs to dispense with an underperforming manager. The Red Devils may well have won last time out against Roma, though it was their first victory in 10 matches and just their third win of the campaign across all competitions.

Eddie Howe is understood to be Man Utd’s first choice if they do sack Carrick. Unai Emery was the dream target, though he’s primed to sign a new contract with Sunday’s opponents Villa.

And according to the latest from Football Insider, a bruising defeat at the hands of Emery on Sunday will see Man Utd sack Carrick.

Man Utd to sack Michael Carrick if Aston Villa win comfortably – report

The report, authored by Pete O’Rourke, stated: ‘Michael Carrick remains at risk of being sacked by Man United if they are well beaten by Aston Villa this weekend.’

It added: ‘[Carrick] is still one defeat away from being relieved of his duties as Villa visit Old Trafford this weekend.’

FI went on to declare: ‘Michael Carrick must guide Man United to a win vs Aston Villa.’

Finally, O’Rourke concluded: “If they lose that game against Aston Villa, and lose it badly, it’s just going to heap the pressure even more on Carrick, and then you’ve got the dreaded international break where it gives the board a chance to make changes.

“Obviously, the fans are still behind him as well, which is, I think, a key point for the United hierarchy, that they haven’t turned on Carrick. I think this weekend’s game will be huge and if they lose it he will likely be sacked.”

However, that assessment of Carrick’s situation is not shared by one of the Athletic’s Man Utd experts, Laurie Whitwell.

Speaking on Thursday, he told Stretford Paddock: “They (United chiefs) decided to give him to the international break, a chance to turn things around.

“Not to say they’d make a change during the break, but to reassess at that point…

“I’m not aware of anything advancing with any other candidates, even in just honing in on potential successors.

“It would suggest that Carrick’s got the job.”