Michael Carrick: Man United rulers react to dismal Leeds defeat

Michael Carrick: Man United rulers react to dismal Leeds defeat

Manchester United’s hierarchy has reacted decisively to defeat at the hands of Leeds with the club now considering options to replace Michael Carrick at the end of the season, according to a bombshell report.

A Dismal Defeat

The Red Devils had the chance to tighten their grip on Champions League qualification with a win over their bitter rivals at Old Trafford, as Leeds had only won once on the road this season.

However, Daniel Farke’s men blew away United in a rampant first half, going 2-0 up and absolutely dominating the match. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, in particular, ran the centre-back pairing of Leny Yoro and Lisandro Martinez ragged.

Carrick will have been glad the deficit was only two goals, as Leeds accumulated the highest xG at Old Trafford since Liverpool’s 5-0 demolition two years ago. Bizarrely, the 44-year-old coach opted against making any changes at half-time, despite his side being completely outplayed.

There was little change after the interval, until Martinez was given his marching orders for violent conduct after a VAR review found the 28-year-old Argentine had pulled on Calvert-Lewin’s hair. It was a harsh decision, which Carrick later described as “one of the worst” he had seen – a view mirrored by pundits after the match.

United actually improved after the red card, however, as Bruno Fernandes was instructed to drop deep and Casemiro pushed forward – with the pair combining to pull one back for United. It was the sixth goal Fernandes has laid on for his Brazilian teammate this season, the most in the Premier League.

A goal-line clearance by Calvert-Lewin, chief villain of the night, prevented an unlikely comeback from another Casemiro header in the final few minutes. But, truthfully, Leeds deserved all three points owing to an impressive performance that looks set to secure Premier League survival for the promoted side.

Carrick’s position under threat

United’s abject display has made Carrick’s position anything but secure, however. INEOS are understood to now have “serious reservations” about offering the former midfielder a permanent contract “after the team’s recent wobbles,” Sport Bible reveals.

There has been a downward trend to Carrick’s reign since taking over from Ruben Amorim in January. Two impressive back-to-back wins over Manchester City and Arsenal feel a long time ago after abject displays in the 2-1 defeats to 10-man Newcastle and Leeds in recent weeks.

The report contends his “hopes of landing the head coach role” have been “dealt a major blow” by these performances, with the club’s hierarchy said to have “huge concern…at the lack of intensity and purpose” on Monday night.

Consequently, United are now “stepping up their assessment” of external candidates, with seven names on the list of targets to replace Carrick this summer. While three of these options – Carlo Ancelotti, Thomas Tuchel and Luis Enrique – will not be available, the remaining four are all still in contention.

This includes Julian Nagelsmann, set to leave Germany after the World Cup; Andoni Iraola, who confirmed he will not be staying with Bournemouth after his contract expires; Oliver Glasner, also leaving Crystal Palace at the end of the season; and Unai Emery, perhaps the most difficult candidate on the list, given Aston Villa’s rivalry with United.

However, of the four, Emery ticks the most boxes for INEOS as the co-ownership team look for a head coach with a proven track record in the Premier League and for Europe’s biggest clubs. The Spaniard has done a remarkable job to make Villa consistently challenge the traditional ‘top six’, while he has previous spells at Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.

Final Thoughts

These mounting concerns have come at a pivotal moment in Carrick’s spell as caretaker coach. United travel to face Chelsea on Saturday night in a crunch clash for Champions League qualification. A win would see them go 10 points clear of the Blues, while a loss would narrow the gap to four.

However, even a victory at Stamford Bridge will not erase the memory of the defeat to Leeds, with the performance against the Whites far more damaging than the result. Carrick is walking an increasingly razor-thin tightrope between now and May in his drive to remain at the helm at Old Trafford next season.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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