Michael Carrick tipped for immediate sacking as hapless Man United humiliated by Como

Manchester United’s chastening 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como could well prove to be Michael Carrick’s final act as manager. This was suggested by talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook as the Red Devils floundered to a humiliating loss against the Italian side making their first ever appearance in the competition. It was a deserved result for Man United , who offered next-to-nothing going forward as well as being overrun in midfield and defence. The three-time European champions fell behind just two minutes into the game through Nico Paz’s beautiful curling effort. Carrick ‘s men were fortunate to get in at half time just a goal down but on a rainy evening in northern Italy the floodgates opened after the interval. Como doubled their advantage through Anastasios Douvikas four minutes into the second half. Paz then got his second before Jacobo Ramon rounded off a miserable game for Man United. Joshua Zirkzee, who came on for below par Bruno Fernandes in the second half, struck in stoppage time to earn the scantest of consolation goals. It won’t represent a crumb of comfort for Carrick with pressure only increasing on the former Red Devils midfielder . Although Crook suggested that the club will wield the axe on Carrick after this latest woe, as he said on commentary for talkSPORT: “I’m not sure Carrick’s going to survive this. 4-0.” This defeat marks the first time since 2015 Man United have gone seven matches without a win. Former Premier League player Scott Minto added: “There’s nothing positive to take from this, nothing. With the ball, without the ball, they’re poor both as a team and individually.” At full time, Minto added: “It’s a nail in the coffin for Carrick, I feel for him.” Writing on the wall for Carrick? After a strong interim spell in charge last term, the wheels have come off for Carrick’s Man United this season. Having lost two of their three Champions League matches this season, it’s been painful on a domestic front with Man United winning just one of their seven league matches. Meanwhile, they are already out of the Carabao Cup having lost 3-2 at home to Brighton in a match they led 2-0. It’s a divided club with defender Lisandro Martinez criticising Man United sporting director Jason Wilcox over a lack of summer investment in a bombshell interview after defeat to Atletico Madrid last week. Martinez later confirmed positive talks with the club subsequently took place , however, there are no signs of things improving on the pitch. Up next for them is a league clash at home to Bournemouth with Man United looking to improve on their 13th-place spot in the table. Who could succeed Carrick? Should Carrick’s time at the helm be brought to an end, United won’t be short of candidates to succeed him. talkSPORT understands former Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann – who stepped down from his role as Germany boss this summer – has admirers within the Red Devils hierarchy. However, his appointment is one which Crook is wary of, having recently suggested he might not be up to the job after he oversaw Germany’s disappointing World Cup exit. Warning how the coach might handle a challenging environment at United , Crook told talkSPORT: “You sack another manager, you bring in someone like Nagelsmann, who didn’t cover himself in glory as the Germany boss and he’s also quite a combustible character. “How’s he going to work with the likes of Jason Wilcox, who seemingly is going nowhere, and Omar Berrada? “How’s he going to cope with what is still, I think, quite a problematic dressing room? “So there’s no guarantee that you change the manager and you get anything other than a short-term impact because that’s what tends to happen whenever a new manager comes in and then the players revert the type.” As well as Nagelsmann, talkSPORT understands Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler is seen as an option by the club. Meanwhile, Premier League title winner Antonio Conte is prepared to take charge of United, having left Napoli in June.