Jason Wilcox's major error that has left Michael Carrick fighting for Manchester United job

Carrick faces the sack as Ineos executives meet in Monaco to discuss his future, but director of football Wilcox's transfer strategy—particularly the failure to sign a striker—shares blame for United's collapse.

Jason Wilcox, Omar Berrada and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are meeting in Monaco where Ineos is expected to recommend Michael Carrick's dismissal. United's decline this season has been dramatic: after Carrick led a turnaround in the first half of the year that secured Champions League qualification, the club now sits 18th in the Premier League with just one win in ten games.

However, the article argues Carrick should not shoulder all the blame. Director of football Wilcox approved a summer transfer strategy that left United dangerously short in attack. While midfield was strengthened with signings including Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba, the club failed to recruit a recognised striker despite Benjamin Sesko's shin injury ruling him out until January.

United have the most shots in the Premier League but the fifth-worst conversion rate—a problem that would be eased by a proper centre-forward.

Carrick has been forced to experiment with Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes in a false nine role, with limited success. Joshua Zirkzee, signed as a backup, is better suited to a number ten position.

The article suggests that the decision to proceed with just one fit striker across four competitions was a critical error that may cost Carrick his job, but Wilcox's transfer planning deserves equal scrutiny.