Manchester United are unlikely to appoint another interim head coach if they decide to replace Michael Carrick in the coming weeks, Sky Sports News has been told. There is still support for Carrick among the United hierarchy, with a lingering concern that changing the head coach won't necessarily change the team's fortunes. The Champions League victory over Roma on Tuesday night provided some respite, boosting belief in the changing room and the boardroom.
It was their first win in 10 matches in all competitions. However, there is a realisation that one win isn't enough to turn a season around. United remain 17th in the Premier League, only outside the relegation places on goal difference.
The nature of the victory against Roma was chaotic, though the character to come back from 2-0 down suggests players are still behind Carrick. It took a re-taken Bruno Fernandes penalty to turn the tide, and United's bosses still have doubts about the team's direction and lack of consistency. Carrick was given the top job on a two-year basis in May, after a brilliant record as interim United head coach that secured Champions League football.
There was a clamour from United fans for their former midfielder to be given the role substantively. Nevertheless, United's bosses were determined to carry out a period of due diligence when they did speak to other candidates before appointing Carrick. And it's thought United wouldn't want to repeat that process of having an interim head coach, as they try to take a longer-term strategy over their most important football role.
Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada, who run United's football operations, are still considering other options, should they feel they need to make a change. And with the international break next week offering a chance to take a breath and reassess, there is a feeling that Super Sunday's game against Aston Villa at Old Trafford is a key one for Carrick's future. The fact that Sunday's opponents have now announced they are close to agreeing a new long-term contract with Unai Emery - and a new long-term strategy with the Spaniard and his staff at the heart of the club's planning - comes as a blow to Manchester United.
Emery was high up on United's list of potential future targets, with admiration for the way he has twice secured Champions League football and also the club's first European trophy in over four decades, with victory in the Europa League in May. However, there has always been a realisation that it would be difficult - and expensive - to try to get Emery out of Villa Park, especially mid-season, with Villa's owners adamant he is going nowhere. As a result, United's bosses have remained open-minded about other potential candidates, with Julian Nagelsmann, Fabian Hurzeler and others being considered.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing