Man United consider new Michael Carrick solution as fresh boardroom talks expected

Michael Carrick’s position at Manchester United remains uncertain, talkSPORT understands. United chiefs considered sacking Carrick after United lost 4-1 to Como and 3-0 at home to Bournemouth in successive games before deciding to give him until the international break to turn their fortunes around. The Red Devils have since been beaten 2-0 at Chelsea, come from behind to defeat Roma 3-2 and scored twice in stoppage time to rescue a point at home to Aston Villa in Sunday’s chaotic 4-4 draw. Sources close to Carrick and within United indicated all was calm on Sunday night into Monday morning. However, fresh boardroom talks are expected before United play again away at Liverpool a week on Sunday. One option on the table is to add to Carrick’s coaching staff to give him more support although talkSPORT has been told Aaron Danks, who was considered in the summer, is very unlikely to leave Bayern Munich mid-season. Danks worked under Carrick at Middlesbrough and has been taking charge of Bayern since Vincent Kompany collapsed. If United do opt to sack Carrick, whose only Premier League win this season was against Ipswich in August, they are reluctant to appoint an interim. Eddie Howe would be a leading contender while former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino , currently in charge of the United States national team, would also be interested. What did Michael Carrick say about his future? Carrick was asked about his future following the 4-4 draw against Villa, which was their eighth league fixture without a win. When asked whether he’d step away from his post if he considered it in the best interests of the club, Carrick replied: “It’s not going to happen, no.” Carrick, who signed a two-year deal to become the permanent United boss in May following a successful interim spell, is also adamant he’s seen enough from his squad to believe a turnaround in form is on the horizon. “Yeah, 100 per cent,” Carrick said in his post-match press conference. “I think there’s more than enough. I think goals change games, and you’ve got to deal with it, and it’s something we have to improve on drastically. “But there’s more than enough. We’re just making it too difficult for ourselves at the moment in certain times.” Manchester United sink to new low despite Villa comeback Although a defeat against Villa was avoided, a draw was not enough to lift United out of the relegation zone going into the international break. The Red Devils sit 18th with eight points, one fewer than 17th-placed Coventry City. As a result, United are now certain to spend a minimum of 15 straight days in the bottom three before they face Liverpool on November 22. It is also United’s lowest position after 10 games in a top flight campaign since the 1986/87 season, when they sat 20th. Alex Crook’s verdict on Michael Carrick’s future Despite the alarming 40-year first in terms of league position, talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook believes the Villa result has bought Carrick some more time. “One Premier League win, that was way back in August against Ipswich Town,” Crook said on talkSPORT Breakfast. “Two victories in the Champions League, one against Sabah, who are probably going to finish towards the bottom of the pile. It’s not been a great start to the season. “I think the late equaliser, those two goals in stoppage time have probably given Michael Carrick a stay of execution.”