How Man Utd's season could play out if Michael Carrick stays as Bruno Fernandes decision made and three players join
Michael Carrick's role as Manchester United head coach looks untenable, but what could happen if he stays for the whole season?
Following his impressive stint succeeding Ruben Amorim as interim head coach for the end of last season, United fans were delighted when Carrick was appointed permanently in May.
Now, just seven months later, the same fans are calling for their former player to be sacked, with several other managers linked with the job. But what could happen if Carrick actually stays?
Michael Carrick makes three key signings
As it stands, it is currently believed that Carrick will almost certainly be sacked when the next international break arrives following United's home clash with Aston Villa on Sunday, November 8.
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Of course, should he be able to turn things around in the matches before the break, it remains possible that the United board could decide to give Carrick some more time to redeem himself, perhaps waiting to appoint a new manager at the end of the season if needed.
Should United decide to stick with Carrick, they would have to back him in the upcoming January transfer window, allowing him to bring in reinforcements to help secure a somewhat respectable finish.
Top of his priorities would have to be a new left-back, which has been identified as the biggest issue in his current squad.
With that in mind, Carrick could go for RB Leipzig's David Raum, an attacking left-back that would immediately slot into United's starting line-up ahead of either of Luke Shaw or Patrick Dorgu.
Raum's current contract is set to expire in summer 2027, meaning he could be available for a budget-friendly price in January, should Leipzig fail in their pursuit of an extension.
It's clear that United need a defensive overhaul as soon as possible, as RB Leipzig could be the perfect club to help them rebuild their backline.
Like Raum, Leipzig centre back Castello Lukeba could slot right into United's defence adding recovery pace and composure in possession.
Having started together with Leny Yoro for France Under-21s, so this new United partnership would come with some existing familiarity.
But, this would be more of an ambitious and expensive signing for United, with the highly-rated 23-year-old under contract until 2029.
For Carrick's final January signing, another Frenchman would come into his lineup as Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta could finally come in amid frequent links with a move to Old Trafford.
With Benjamin Sesko still injured and Joshua Zirkzee failing to impress, United need a new front man in January, and given his contract situation and Premier League experience, Mateta makes perfect sense.
As it stands, Mateta's contract expires in June 2027 but, despite this, Palace's own difficult season may mean they are reluctant to let him go in January.
What happens to Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez if Michael Carrick stays?
Of course, if United were to keep hold of Carrick, it raises questions as to what the head coach would do with both captain Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez, who have each been vocal against the club recently.
In a bombshell post-match interview following United's 2-0 loss away to Atletico Madrid, Martinez called out the club's hierarchy, particularly technical director Jason Wilcox, for their lack of ambition.
Meanwhile Fernandes has been more direct, criticising Carrick and his tactics after a 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como.
With this in mind, it's hard to imagine either player staying at the club under Carrick, with both of them likely to be sold in January if he remains as head coach.
Even if a new head coach is appointed at United, it appears likely that both players, certainly Martinez, will leave the club in the next six months, with a number of other clubs linked.
How would Man United perform with Michael Carrick for the rest of the season?
If all of this were to happen, United would be a very different team in the new year, and it could be enough for them to turn things around.
Should Carrick stay and be backed, a Premier League finish around 10th–12th seems to be the most likely, barring any major injuries or more bombshell interviews.
With just seven points from nine league games, it's hard to see United reaching much higher even with substantial improvement, with European football likely out of the picture now.
Speaking of European football, United could scrape through the league phase but would then likely exit in the knockout play-offs.
Therefore, an FA Cup run would offer Carrick and United their best chance of salvaging the season, and could therefore become the priority should things settle down in the Premier League.
READ MORE: Stephen Warnock spots incredibly worrying detail seconds after Lisandro Martinez red card vs Chelsea
Topics: Michael Carrick, Premier League, Man Utd
Ben McCrum
