Gary Neville says he is happy with Manchester United’s surprise Michael Carrick sack decision, despite his prediction backfiring.

With United now winless in their last eight games across all competitions, Carrick has come under intense scrutiny as the likes of Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte have been touted as potential replacements.

Man United’s 3-0 loss to Bournemouth at the weekend, on the back of an embarrassing defeat to Como in the Champions League four days prior felt like the end of the road for Carrick as head coach.

Standard Sport understands the club are keen to give Carrick and his squad the opportunity to turn their form around following a dismal start to the season in which their only wins have come against newly-promoted Ipswich and Champions League debutants Sabah.

Neville, the former Man United defender, has admitted that he was “convinced” Carrick would be sacked after the Bournemouth loss and says it’s a happy surprise that his former club have not pulled the trigger.

“I am surprised, but I am happy because I was absolutely certain that what I witnessed on Sunday would be the end of Michael,” Neville said on Sky Sports.

Michael Carrick remains Manchester United head coach

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“It looked like he was walking round at the end on his own with the players behind him, like it was almost a goodbye lap, he is waving to the fans to say in almost an apologetic manner, but also a goodbye, so I am really surprised that ultimately Michael is still in a job.

“I am happy with it because the fact of the matter is it was very difficult on Sunday. How it is going to go over the next couple of weeks, I have no idea.

“But I hope he can get somehow those players to start playing for him again because they haven’t played for him in the last few weeks.”