Manchester United manager Michael Carrick is facing serious questions over his position after his side's 4-1 defeat to Como, according to the Daily Mirror. The result ranks among the club's heaviest losses in European competition, and the Mirror reports that it could mark the end of Carrick's time in charge.
The newspaper says the scoreline was made worse by friction inside the squad. Bruno Fernandes reportedly criticised Carrick's tactical decisions, while the manager responded by questioning how much his players had run. Carrick also raised his hands toward the travelling supporters in what the Mirror describes as an apologetic gesture, which the paper reads as a sign that he expects to be dismissed.
Why it matters
United's owners have a record of acting quickly when they decide a manager must go, and the Mirror notes that the club's recent history points to a short wait before any official announcement. For Carrick, the defeat to Como may prove to be the closing chapter of his tenure, and the coming days will show whether the club follows its usual pattern.
A history of swift decisions
The Mirror reviewed how long the previous six permanent managers waited between their final match and their dismissal, and the pattern is consistent: decisions tend to arrive within days, sometimes hours.
Ruben Amorim's exit was effectively settled before his last game, against Leeds in January. The Mirror reports that a tense exchange with Jason Wilcox on the Friday raised alarm, and that Amorim then criticised the director of football in his post-match press conference. He was told on the Monday morning, roughly 18 hours after the fixture.
Erik ten Hag was also dismissed on a Monday following a Sunday defeat. United were 14th in the table after a 2-1 loss to West Ham when chief executive Omar Berrada and then-sporting director Dan Ashworth delivered the news. The Mirror notes that Ten Hag's recent comments about a "toxic culture" in the dressing room make for pointed reading after Wednesday's result.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the last manager sacked before INEOS took over football operations, sensed his time was up during the 4-1 loss at Watford in the 2021/22 season. He told The Athletic, as cited by the Mirror: "Nobody told me, but I knew at half-time against Watford. We didn't look like a Man United team." Like Carrick after the Como match, Solskjaer appeared apologetic toward United's fans. He was formally dismissed the next day after a meeting with Ed Woodward.
Jose Mourinho waited almost two days after his final fixture, a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool that left United 19 points behind their rivals. The Mirror suggests his reputation, or the cost of ending his contract, may explain the slightly longer gap.
Louis van Gaal's departure was among the more abrupt. He had just won the FA Cup, and within 24 hours he was told his services were no longer required. Confirmation came on the Monday, and Mourinho was appointed the following day.
David Moyes was dismissed less than 48 hours after a 2-0 loss at his former club Everton, in a meeting with Woodward. The Mirror reports that Moyes had already suspected the outcome, having read press reports of his impending sacking the day before.
What to watch
Carrick may be given a little more time, but the Mirror's account of the apology to supporters suggests he believes his fate is settled. If the Como match was his last in charge, the club's recent record indicates an official confirmation may not be far off.
