Ratcliffe accelerates Carrick sack as United slump to 16th after Bournemouth rout

Manchester United’s ownership is accelerating plans to sack Michael Carrick following a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday that left the club 16th in the Premier League, a single point above the relegation zone.

Goals from Rayan, Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson condemned United to a third defeat in four matches and extended their winless run to eight games in all competitions. Carrick has won just two of his 12 matches in charge this season, collecting seven points from a possible 24 in the league, with the club’s last top-flight victory coming against Ipswich Town in August.

According to Sky Sports, insiders at Old Trafford now expect Carrick to be relieved of his duties, with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the club’s board convinced that a change is necessary. The decision on a replacement is set to rest with director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada, who will make a formal recommendation to Ratcliffe. Former Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann and ex-Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe are understood to be the leading candidates.

Speaking after the final whistle, Carrick cut a dejected figure and stopped short of confirming he would be in the dugout for United’s trip to Chelsea next Saturday. Pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher both publicly called for the club to act following the result.

The fallout from the Bournemouth defeat also spilled beyond the touchline. Rhodri Giggs, brother of United legend Ryan Giggs, launched a public attack on Neville via X, accusing the former England defender of failing to hold Ratcliffe to account. In a post directed at Neville, Rhodri Giggs wrote: “Prime Pep couldn’t get a tune out of this lot. Call your mate Jim [Ratcliffe] out who got us into this mess further. The owners are parasites and don’t have a clue.”