Boardroom rift over Carrick's successor echoes the row that cost Ashworth his job

Manchester United’s boardroom is fracturing again over the question of managerial succession, with director of football Jason Wilcox and head of recruitment Christopher Vivell said to be clashing over who should replace Michael Carrick — a dynamic that closely resembles the dispute that ended Dan Ashworth’s tenure just months ago.

According to the Daily Mail, the disagreement between Wilcox and Vivell centres on the identity of Carrick’s successor should the manager be dismissed. United have failed to win any of their last seven matches, and the mood inside the club has spilled into the open in recent weeks. Lisandro Martinez publicly criticised the hierarchy for inactivity in the transfer window following a Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid, while captain Bruno Fernandes questioned Carrick’s tactics after a 4-1 loss at Como — prompting Carrick to suggest his players were not working hard enough.

The current boardroom tension carries an uncomfortable familiarity. Ashworth, who arrived from Newcastle in the summer of 2024 to considerable fanfare, left Old Trafford in December of that year after just five months. The Athletic reported that his departure was at least partly driven by disagreements over who should succeed Erik ten Hag following the Dutchman’s sacking in October 2024. Ashworth had reportedly been involved in extending ten Hag’s contract but was largely sidelined when CEO Omar Berrada led the negotiations that brought Ruben Amorim to the club. United paid £4.1 million to terminate Ashworth’s contract, one month after Amorim was appointed.

Wilcox stepped into Ashworth’s role and now finds himself at the centre of a similar fault line. Among the names reported as potential candidates for the manager’s position are Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte, all of whom are currently without a club.

Carrick is next due to take charge when United host Bournemouth on Sunday. With the team’s recent run of results and the reported divisions above him, the question inside Old Trafford appears to be less about whether he will be replaced and more about when — and by whom.