Michael Carrick is increasingly looking like a man on borrowed time after Manchester United’s 4-1 thrashing against Como on Wednesday.
The 45-year-old boss was powerless as Nico Paz (x2), Anastasios Douvikas and Jacobo Ramon found the net at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia. Joshua Zirkzee’s late consolation didn’t do much to lift the spirits of the travelling United supporters.
It marks back-to-back defeats in the Champions League after suffering a similar fate against Atletico Madrid last week. The Red Devils have also won just one of their seven league matches to date.
Key Events Timeline
- October 2026 — Atletico Madrid beat ten-man United 2-0 as Leny Yoro saw red.
- October 2026 — A 1-1 draw at Leeds stretched United’s winless run to six.
- October 2026 — Como thrashed United 4-1, with Nico Paz scoring twice in Italy.
Roy Keane’s Ideal Man Utd Manager
When it comes to anything Man Utd-related, fans are often left waiting for the opinion of long-serving captain Roy Keane. The Irishman is fondly remembered for his wonderful leadership and underrated ability on his way to seven league titles.
The midfielder-turned-pundit spent 12 years at Old Trafford after joining from Nottingham Forest in 1993. His long-term replacement after a massive fallout with Sir Alex Ferguson in 2005, funnily enough, ended up being Carrick.
Keane hasn’t been too complimentary of his fellow midfielder ever since he took over from Ruben Amorim in January 2026. That seems to largely be down to a dispute with Carrick’s wife, Lisa.
Should Carrick end up losing his job due to the poor run of form and uphill struggle he faces to get things back on track, it’s not hard to guess who Keane would like to see in the dugout next.
In fact, it’s a manager Man Utd fans have seen up close this season in the Champions League. None other than Atletico Madrid icon Diego Simeone.
Speaking in 2025, the 55-year-old put Simeone forward as his ideal replacement for then-United boss Amorim. He told Gary Neville on The Overlap:
“I’ve said it for years, I’d like to see Atletico Madrid’s [Diego] Simeone go in there. I’d like to see him go in there. I know his mate’s gone to Arsenal, but I think he would just create havoc – but good havoc! I think he’d rock up to that place and say, ‘This is how you do things.’ No guarantee, but I’d just like to see his personality given his track record.”
The Argentine has spent 15 years in charge of Atletico and is one of the highest-paid managers in world football. It would make any potential arrival a very expensive one for Man Utd.
However, he has won La Liga twice and reached two Champions League finals during his impressive stint in the Spanish capital.
Carrick Tipped to Be Sacked By Man Utd
United have yet to make a decision on whether Carrick will be in charge for the upcoming Premier League encounter with Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon. However, talkSPORT’s senior correspondent Alex Crook has suggested the Wallsend-born coach is on borrowed time.
Speaking on commentary during the defeat against Como, after the home team’s fourth goal, Crook said: “I’m not sure Carrick’s going to survive this. 4-0.”
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