Carrick admits he does not know his future after United's worst league start in 40 years

Michael Carrick conceded he does not know whether he will remain Manchester United manager after a 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth on Sunday left the club 16th in the Premier League and recording their worst start to a league season in 40 years.

Rayan opened the scoring with a back-post volley at Old Trafford before defensive errors from Leny Yoro and goalkeeper Senne Lammens gifted Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson two further goals. The result means United have taken just seven points from eight Premier League games — a return worse than any since the club managed four points from the same number of fixtures in 1986/87.

Carrick has overseen only two wins in 12 matches across all competitions since the season began, with Sunday’s loss following a 4-1 Champions League defeat by Como. Both of those victories came against newly-promoted Ipswich and Champions League debutants Sabah.

Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox were present in the stands, and pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher both predicted Carrick would be relieved of his duties before the week is out.

“It’s a tough situation, there’s no hiding from it,” Carrick said after the match. “But what it looks like and what’s next, I really don’t know. I will always do what’s best for this football club, I’ve said it all along and I don’t change that now. I love what I do, I love the position I’m in. I feel the responsibility but we’ll have to wait and see.”

Carrick had dropped captain Bruno Fernandes for the game following the midfielder’s public comments after the Como defeat, but the decision failed to produce the response he was seeking.

“It was a strange mix of emotions at the end of the game. It wasn’t a nice way to end the game,” Carrick added. “It was a tough day for the players. We went into the game having been rocked. You can feel that. They’re really hurting and disappointed in there. It’s not a nice feeling.”

United were only appointed Carrick as permanent manager in the summer after owners INEOS explored other candidates. He had made a significant impression as interim boss following the sacking of Ruben Amorim in January, but has struggled badly since taking the role on a full-time basis.

The club have been linked with former Bayern Munich and Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann, as well as ex-Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, as potential replacements.