Will Manchester United sack Michael Carrick today and who could replace him?

Carrick faces the sack after Man United slipped into the relegation zone; a win over Aston Villa on Sunday is likely needed to save his job.

Michael Carrick's position as Manchester United head coach hangs in the balance ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash against Aston Villa. The pressure intensified when Man United dropped into the relegation zone after Nottingham Forest beat Manchester City, though Carrick bought himself time with a dramatic 3-0 comeback win over Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

United's hierarchy agreed after the 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on October 25 that Carrick would be assessed following the Roma and Aston Villa fixtures before the international break. Despite the Roma victory, the consensus is that only a win against Villa will be enough to keep him in the job; a draw could leave United in the relegation zone and make his position untenable.

If Carrick is sacked, Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann are the leading contenders to replace him. Both are free agents after leaving Newcastle and Germany respectively. Howe is the preferred candidate of director of football Jason Wilcox, though head of recruitment Christopher Vivell favours Nagelsmann. Newcastle would receive only £6 million in compensation if Howe departs.