Manchester United give Michael Carrick final chance to save his job

Michael Carrick has been handed one last opportunity to halt Manchester United’s poor start to the season and avoid dismissal, according to The Athletic.

The club’s hierarchy has begun assessing potential replacements should it decide to remove Carrick, but has opted against making another change to the coaching staff for now.

Carrick is expected to use the opportunity to reverse a worrying run of results, with Manchester United’s early-season form having placed his position under serious pressure.

United have taken only seven points from their opening eight Premier League matches and are 16th in the table, one point above the relegation places.

The club is understood to have started examining possible successors in case Carrick is eventually dismissed. According to the BBC, Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann are among the leading candidates, with both coaches aware of Manchester United’s interest.

Howe, the former Newcastle United manager, is reportedly fully open to taking charge at Old Trafford if Carrick leaves. Nagelsmann is set to become available after completing his role as Germany manager following the World Cup.

Unai Emery, the Aston Villa manager, is also highly regarded within Manchester United. However, his contract with the club could make negotiations over an appointment more complicated.

Antonio Conte, the former Napoli manager, is another name under consideration. Reports indicate that Conte is interested in the position and would be open to returning to management after leaving the Italian club in May. He has also been linked with a possible return to Juventus.

If Carrick is dismissed, Manchester United will be seeking either a permanent manager or an interim head coach for the eighth time since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013.

Ferguson left the club after leading United to their most recent Premier League title.