Man Utd won't hire an interim if Carrick is sacked, Sky Sports reports

Carrick under pressure

Manchester United have reportedly prepared a contingency plan for the case that Michael Carrick is sacked, and under it the club would not appoint another interim manager, according to Sky Sports. Carrick's position has been scrutinised for weeks after a run of nine matches without a win. That run ended on Tuesday, 3 November, when United came back from 2-0 down to beat Roma 3-2 at Old Trafford. Heavy defeats by Como and Bournemouth about a fortnight earlier had brought him close to the sack, but he was kept on for the trip to Chelsea, which United also lost. The club's hierarchy reportedly wants to reassess his position during the November international break, and a run of home games including Roma and Aston Villa was seen as a chance to save his job. United sit 17th in the Premier League, having won just one top-flight match all season.

Who could replace him

Julian Nagelsmann, Eddie Howe and Antonio Conte have all been linked with the post, though Carrick is understood to still have supporters in the boardroom. Inews reports that the board is split on what to do next, which has given Carrick a stay of execution. Howe is understood to be open to talks if a vacancy arises, but sources say he is not waiting by the phone and there have been no talks in recent days. Compensation due to Newcastle United is understood to be around £3m if United moved for him, declining in stages until he becomes a free agent in the summer. Inews also points to the uncertain future of director of football Jason Wilcox as a factor, and judges Howe more likely than Emery to work within United's structure.

Emery's contract at Villa

Aston Villa are finalising a new deal for Unai Emery, with co-owner Nassef Sawiris leading the club's side of the talks, according to The New York Times. Emery's current contract runs to 2029 after a five-year deal finalised in May 2024, the second extension he has agreed since arriving at Villa in October 2022. A club statement on Wednesday, 4 November, referred to a meeting with Sawiris, president of football operations Roberto Olabe and director of football operations Damian Vidagany, and said:

“positive discussions establishing a clear commitment beyond 2029 for the joint development of the club under the sporting leadership of Unai Emery”

The Telegraph reports that the new contract would end rumours of Emery replacing Carrick should he be sacked. Villa won the Europa League in May under Emery and are 10th in the Premier League with 12 points. INEOS, a co-owner of United, has previously looked at hiring Emery, according to the New York Times, and he also retains interest from other clubs in Europe.

What comes next

The next test for Carrick is the Premier League match against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday, 8 November, which Inews warns could leave United in a worse position if they lose. Reports from the week agree that the international break gives the club the window it wants to make any change. Until the club decides, the picture remains uncertain, with Carrick still in charge and no confirmed replacement named.