Michael Carrick is facing mounting pressure at Manchester United following another damaging defeat in what has been a disastrous start to the season.

The former midfielder earned a permanent two-year contract in May after replacing Ruben Amorim on an interim basis in January.

He won 11 of his first 16 matches and secured Champions League qualification.

However, United have collected just six points from their opening six Premier League fixtures this season, their worst start since the 1986/87 campaign.

Tuesday’s 2-0 Champions League defeat against Atletico Madrid extended their winless run to five matches.

Pablo Barrios opened the scoring after just 47 seconds before Leny Yoro’s second-half dismissal was followed by Ademola Lookman’s decisive goal.

United have also suffered a Carabao Cup exit against Brighton and surrendered a late equaliser against ten-man Tottenham Hotspur.

The situation is particularly concerning given the club’s extraordinary turnover since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim are among those who have departed, with several interim appointments adding to the instability.

Against that backdrop, Manchester United have officially launched another search for a manager, with applications now open on the club’s website.

Manchester United officially advertise for new manager

However, Carrick’s position is not the vacancy being advertised.

According to Manchester United’s official careers website, the club are recruiting a permanent Travel Trade Manager – M&T Partnerships.

The successful applicant will oversee commercial partnerships and sales strategies for United’s Museum and Stadium Tour business, helping increase visitor numbers and revenue at Old Trafford.

Responsibilities include negotiating agreements with travel operators, developing international tourism partnerships and identifying new commercial opportunities.

The position is based onsite at Old Trafford, with applications closing on October 27.

United previously advertised for a YouTube Channel Manager in September, another vacancy that emerged amid growing scrutiny of Carrick’s future.

For now, United’s latest managerial appointment will be judged on tourism revenue rather than Premier League points.