Man Utd: Romano, Whitwell deliver huge Carrick sack updates – ‘That’s very clear’
Fabrizio Romano and The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell have brought updates on Michael Carrick’s future at Man Utd after they drew 4-4 against Aston Villa.
The Red Devils quickly went 2-0 down against the Villans on Sunday before goals from Bruno Fernandes and Youri Tielemans got Carrick’s side in at half-time level.
Aston Villa flew out of the blocks once again in the second half, taking a 4-2 lead by the 53rd minute, but Man Utd showed enough fight to snatch a draw, with Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu scoring goals in injury time to grab a point.
Carrick has been under pressure for weeks to turn around results and ended a nine-match winless run in midweek when Man Utd beat Roma 3-2 in the Champions League, coming from 2-0 down.
Defensive concerns were once again apparent on Sunday too but it seems like Carrick is now likely to cling on to his job, despite Man Utd being in the Premier League relegation zone.
The Athletic journalist Whitwell insists that Man Utd are determined to give Carrick time and there “doesn’t feel like an immediate urgency” to move the former midfielder on.
Whitwell told the Talk of The Devils podcast: “They wanted to give him [Carrick] time to turn results around without giving the definition. We then found out it was to do with the international break which is at this point and a reassessment is in the works.
“I’ve been making a few calls tonight and the temperature doesn’t feel like… the way it’s happened at the end [of the Villa game] with two late goals, doesn’t feel like an immediate urgency to make that kind of call again.
“[…] I don’t sense that’s a situation that’s going to change, I don’t think Michael Carrick is going to lose his job as we speak right now.”
Transfer insider Romano gave a very similar update to Whitwell with Man Utd “not advancing on any other solution” to replace Carrick.
Romano said on his YouTube channel: “And so what happens now? Manchester United are in a difficult situation. But internally at the club from the inside, the message I’m still getting tonight is still calm around Michael Carrick.
“After the game, Michael Carrick was speaking to the press and Michael Carrick said in a clear way, ‘I expect to go forward. I expect to continue,’ when asked about his future. ‘I expect to be here to recover some players from injuries and to be ready after the international break.’ So, Carrick is feeling the confidence.
READ: Unai Emery gives verdict on Man Utd ‘level’ after Aston Villa ‘defeat’
“Manchester United, as of today, are not advancing on any other solution. As of Sunday night, Man United have not contacted any other manager officially. a manager they had under consideration under serious consideration over the last few weeks I can confirm 100% was Unai Emery.
“But Unai Emery is untouchable for Aston Villa and Aston Villa have already offered Unai Emery a new contract, so Aston Villa are counting on Unai Emery to stay. Let me clarify, it’s now just about reaching the agreement [over] the contract and all the terms but it’s already very advanced and is expected to sign a new contract.
“So as of today, Manchester United are still in the position where Michael Carrick has very good chances to continue to stay and to have more opportunities after the international break. So that’s the status around Carrick.
“Obviously, Man United are expected to move in the next weeks ahead of the January transfer window because they need to do something. I keep saying it’s not only Michael Carrick here.
“Every time we come here and we talk about Michael Carrick, that’s normal. But it’s also about the directors, the people of the club. This can’t be only the manager. This has to be has to be also someone else, not only the coach. That’s very clear.”
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