Carrick’s future uncertain after Manchester United fall to Bournemouth

By Lori Ewing

Michael Carrick’s position as Manchester United manager is under severe pressure after Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth, with the club’s supporters expressing anger while also backing their manager.

Carrick said he was “carrying on as normal” when asked whether he expected to remain in charge next week, but offered no assurance that he would not be dismissed.

“Of course, I take responsibility,” he said. “Whatever’s going to happen, results-wise, whether we win, we lose, draw, whatever happens the responsibility is mine.”

Asked directly if he expected to be sacked in the coming days, Carrick replied: “I totally understand the situation. I’m not expecting anything in particular, to be honest. I’m carrying on as normal, and I love this place.

“I always do what I feel is going to be the best for the football club, whatever decision is made on anything really.”

Carrick guided United to third place last season after replacing Ruben Amorim, but they have won only twice in 12 matches in all competitions this campaign. Their last top-flight victory came against newly promoted Ipswich Town on August 30.

Sunday’s result left United with seven points from eight league matches, only one point above the relegation zone and their worst return at this stage of a season since 1986-87.

Before half-time, supporters unveiled a giant “Standards” banner featuring club icons Eric Cantona, Roy Keane and Bryan Robson. They sang “It’s Carrick you know!” late in the match, but after the 45-year-old tapped his hand to his heart and walked down the tunnel, boos were directed at the players.

Bournemouth fans repeatedly sang “You’re getting sacked in the morning”, while thousands of United supporters left before the final whistle.

Former United winger Ashley Young said the performance indicated that the squad was no longer responding to Carrick.

“The fans are behind him and backing him because he’s a legend of the football club,” Young said on the Sky Sports broadcast. “But the players on the pitch showed nothing. They didn’t run, they didn’t look like a team together. You could tell today that it was like they’d given up.”

Carrick’s decision to leave captain Bruno Fernandes on the bench added to the scrutiny. It came four days after the Portugal midfielder criticised United’s tactics publicly following their 4-1 Champions League defeat at Como. Carrick said before kick-off that Fernandes’ omission was a “pure football” decision, while television cameras showed the midfielder appearing dismayed.

The third goal reflected United’s disarray. After possession was lost high up the pitch, goalkeeper Senne Lammens came out of his area but misjudged a long ball, allowing Evanilson to lift it into an empty net.

Harry Maguire, who captained United, said the dressing room remained behind Carrick.

“We’re fully behind Michael,” he said. “Coming into the team last season he turned things around and got Champions League football this season. As individuals, we’re not playing well enough.”

Carrick appeared close to tears when discussing the supporters’ backing.

“To be in such a difficult situation and go through a day like we have done and a spell like we have done is certainly difficult to take,” he said. “So there’s real mixed emotions in there for sure.”

He denied his gesture to the fans had been a farewell: “No, not from me; just appreciation for the fans and what they’ve showed me.”

Former United defender Gary Neville said the chanting suggested supporters believed Carrick’s fate had been decided.

“The Manchester United fans are singing the Michael Carrick song because I think they know what’s going to happen here,” he said.

Bournemouth boss Marco Rose said: “I feel a lot of empathy for my colleagues. We are just humans, and we try to do our job the best possible way. At the end, it’s never easy for us, and I feel with Michael.”