Carrick's United future in balance as Howe waits for Old Trafford call

Manchester United's hierarchy have been weighing up Michael Carrick's immediate future after a results slump that has left the club 16th in the Premier League, one point above the relegation zone, Metro Football reports.

Director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada were at Carrington for what Yahoo Sports described as crisis talks in the aftermath of Sunday's 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth, a result that drew loud boos from Old Trafford supporters.

United have won only two of their opening 12 league fixtures this season and go into the game without a victory in eight matches across all competitions, having also lost 3-0 to Como.

According to Metro, citing The i Paper, the most likely outcome of those discussions is that Carrick will be sacked, though some figures inside the club are said to be sympathetic given a quiet summer transfer window.

Eddie Howe, the former Newcastle United manager, has been identified by the club as the leading candidate to take over, Metro reports, with Yahoo Sports adding that INEOS have made contact with the 48-year-old and that he has reportedly begun preparing for a move to Old Trafford.

Despite that interest, Laurie Whitwell of The Athletic, speaking on Talk of the Devils and relayed by Yahoo Sports, suggested a change was not imminent. "As we have it right now, I wouldn't anticipate an update today either way on the future of Michael Carrick," he said, adding, "I'd go further and say I'd anticipate him taking the training session tomorrow at Carrington."

Whitwell described the situation as "not a fast moving situation, but it is moving," stopping short of predicting Carrick would survive, while still expecting him to take Tuesday's session.

The numbers behind United's slide have been laid out by Guardian Football's Andrew Beasley, who notes that across the whole of Carrick's time in charge, including his 17-match interim spell last season, United have actually been the third-most productive side in the Premier League, taking 46 points to Arsenal's 57 and Manchester City's 56.

That broader picture is undermined by the current form guide, with Beasley pointing out that the third-placed finish built under Carrick last season is of little relevance to a side sitting 16th and winless in eight.

There has been an element of misfortune, too. Beasley highlights stoppage-time equalisers conceded against Everton and Tottenham, though United also needed an 89th-minute goal of their own to avoid defeat at a then-winless Fulham.

Opta's expected points model, cited by the Guardian, has United on 3.8 points fewer than their underlying performances this season would merit, with only three clubs further behind their expected tally. Even so, that model places United's expected league position at 10th.

Beasley also notes that United's net summer transfer outlay was exceeded only by Real Madrid among clubs outside the Premier League, a level of spending that sits uneasily alongside both the club's current position and its wider revenue and history.

Metro's report also frames the possible timing starkly, noting that United could be contemplating removing Carrick only shortly after he was given the job on a permanent basis.

Attention now turns to preparations for the visit of Chelsea, with Yahoo Sports reporting that planning for the fixture is set to intensify as the club continues to weigh Carrick's position alongside it.