Carrick admits he is 'not expecting anything' after United's 3-0 collapse leaves him on the brink

Michael Carrick held brief talks with Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox after Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth, but emerged from Old Trafford with no clarity on his future. The result leaves United without a win in eight games and with just two victories from 12 in all competitions.

Carrick, 45, described the post-match exchange as routine. “They just briefly came down like they always do after a game, but nothing out of the ordinary,” he said. Asked directly whether he expected to be sacked in the coming days, the head coach offered a measured but uncertain response: “I totally understand the situation. I’m not expecting anything in particular, to be honest. Carrying on as normal.”

The Bournemouth defeat is the second heavy loss in a matter of days, following a 4-1 Champions League thrashing at Como. Together, the results have placed Carrick in what he himself acknowledged is a precarious position, even as sections of the Old Trafford crowd offered him vocal support before, during and after the final whistle.

Carrick was unequivocal in accepting personal responsibility for the run of form. “I take the responsibility. Of course, I take responsibility. Whatever is going to happen results-wise — whether we win, we lose, draw — whatever happens through the whole football club, I’m in this position because I respect the position that I’m in, and the responsibility is mine.”

United now have a free midweek before returning to Premier League action against Chelsea, a window that gives the club’s hierarchy time to assess Carrick’s position. Whether that pause proves decisive — or whether Carrick is given the opportunity to turn results around against a top-four rival — remains to be seen.