Carrick arrives at Carrington as Manchester United prepare to sack their head coach

Michael Carrick arrived at Manchester United’s Carrington training ground at 7.15am on Tuesday morning with his job as head coach expected to end before the day is out, sources have told the Manchester Evening News.

Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox held talks on Monday to assess whether Carrick had done enough to justify keeping his position, and the expectation is that their recommendation will be to make a change. Sources say both men have lost faith that the 45-year-old is the right person to drag United out of their current crisis.

Carrick and the players not on international duty were always scheduled to report to Carrington on Tuesday. The head coach, who used to arrive at around 7.30am, has been coming in earlier in recent weeks as pressure has mounted — a detail that underlines the weight of the situation he finds himself in.

Sunday’s chaotic 4-4 draw with Aston Villa left United in the relegation zone after just one win from their opening ten Premier League matches. It was the latest in a string of damaging results: United have conceded eight goals across their last three games, losing to Chelsea, beating Roma in the Champions League after trailing 2-0, and then surrendering a 4-2 lead against Villa before snatching a draw.

Carrick came close to the sack two weeks ago following back-to-back defeats to Como and Bournemouth, each by a three-goal margin, but was given a brief reprieve to prove himself to the club’s hierarchy. The evidence since has been mixed at best — improved performances have not translated into convincing results or defensive solidity.

With the decision expected to go against him, Carrick faces dismissal after 32 games in charge. Work on identifying a successor is already underway, with USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino emerging as the frontrunner in recent days. Pochettino is committed to two USA fixtures during the international break, but his contract is understood to contain a release clause that would simplify any approach.