United players vow to rally behind Carrick as club sits one point above relegation

An unnamed Manchester United player has spoken out in support of Michael Carrick, insisting the entire squad is united in its desire to reverse the club’s alarming slump — just days after the 45-year-old came close to losing his job.

Carrick looked set to be dismissed at the start of the week following a run of eight games without a victory in all competitions, but the United board opted to keep him in charge at least until this weekend’s Premier League trip to Chelsea. “The feeling is that we all want to put it right. Players, staff, everyone,” the player told the BBC.

United currently sit 16th in the Premier League table, one point above the relegation zone, enduring their worst start to a top-flight season in the club’s history. The nadir came last weekend when they were beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth at Old Trafford, prompting a furious reaction from the home crowd. That result followed a 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como, orchestrated by Cesc Fàbregas’ side.

The fixture list offers little respite. After Chelsea, United host Roma in the Champions League before welcoming Aston Villa to Old Trafford on 8 November. Following the international break, they face Liverpool at Anfield, Sporting in the Champions League, and Brentford at home — a brutal run that will test the squad’s resolve.

Behind the scenes, the board’s search for a potential replacement has stalled. Reports suggest United chiefs are unconvinced by the available candidates, which include Antonio Conte, Eddie Howe, and Julian Nagelsmann — all currently without clubs. There is also understood to be internal disagreement, with director of football Jason Wilcox reportedly favouring Howe while head of recruitment Christopher Vivell prefers Nagelsmann.

Unai Emery has also been linked with the vacancy, but the Aston Villa manager is contracted until 2029. United officials acknowledge that prising him away from Villa Park would be both costly and complicated, particularly given the level of control Emery holds over recruitment and strategy at his current club — a structure that does not align with United’s preference for a ‘head coach’ model.