Manchester United round-up as Michael Carrick chases a much-needed win amid reports a potential replacement has been contacted
The pressure is cranking up on Michael Carrick ahead of Manchester United's Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid. Carrick's struggling side are winless in their four matches since opening the league phase with a 4-0 victory against minnows Sabah of Azerbaijan.
United's latest setback came in Saturday's 1-1 draw with 10-man Tottenham, who equalised in stoppage time, despite having lost Rodrigo Bentancur to a second-half red card. The Spurs midfielder was sent off for headbutting Shaw, who had reacted angrily to an ugly challenge by the Uruguay international.
To make matters worse, Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo are injury doubts for the Atletico game and missed training ahead of the flight to Spain. Benjamin Sesko, Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui are out of the match, joining long-term absentee Manuel Ugarte on the sidelines.
Conte 'tops replacement list'
Antonio Conte is at the top of United's managerial shortlist if the club loses patience with Carrick, according to reports in Italy. Conte is out of work after leaving Napoli at the end of last season and has said he would be interested in returning to work with a fallen giant.
Per Calciomercato IT, United have made 'initial contact' with Conte's representatives and are assessing his interest in the role, should it become available. There is also reported interest from Juventus, where Conte managed between 2011 and 2014, but the United role is said to interest the 57-year-old more.
Speaking to The Athletic recently, Conte dropped an intriguing hint about his next move. He said: "If you go to a club where the history speaks for itself - a history made up of trophies, league titles and victories - you can only honour that history in one way: by having the ambition to bring that club back, if it isn't there today, to fight for those goals."
Real confidence
Real Madrid are increasingly confident of signing wantaway youngster JJ Gabriel. The 16-year-old, who had been close to making his senior debut, rocked United last month by asking the club to release him amid interest from the likes of Real, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
While United can stop him from joining another Premier League club this season, as he holds an EU passport, there is a mechanism for him to join a European club. According to Madrid-based reporter Jose Felix Diaz, a final decision on Gabriel is looming, with Los Blancos believing they are leading the race to sign the teenager, who has made La Liga his first-choice destination.
There seems to be growing acceptance at United that Gabriel will soon move on. Asked last week if there had been any change to the situation during the international break, Carrick said: "No, nothing's changed at all."
Gun1
1
Man Utd isn't a football club anymore. Even if they bring back Ferguson, they will still continue to suffer
zeudilnot
0
Mr coach today just try to bench buruno and put mount or Joshua number to play midfielder serious you will win atletico Madrid on front lacy start Amad bench Beumo and cunha midfielder Baleba tielemens or Santos back line heaven maguire yoro and daliot serious Manchester united will win
Toyemnpstu
0
Conte will be even bigger problem . Bring smb with Man U bloodline
CharlesChinecheremm
1
Conte is a winner
Copcekou
1
Carrick he still the best get rid of Bruno you thank me later
Copcekou
0
The problem is Bruno one you become to know that
lowcdenost
0
there are complications based on three things the player that move on precisely cassemiro. the players that got injured, and then the new players that didn't pick up immediately so give carrick some time
Kiabdiklty
2
Carrick his not the problem but it's players problem and management off man united its where the hole problem you can't rely in same players other team did sign new strikers but we don't so leave Carrick along
lowcdenost
1
but if he couldn't deliver the door supposed to be open for him
lowcdenost
1
the bad luck on the side of carrick started when he lost cassemiro in the middle field but if man united give him like more 5-6 game he will deliver
sonbeiosty
1
so we lose couple of games than it's sack Carrick but when he took us too the top 3 it was make Carrick head coach. BLAME THE PLAYERS cause Carrick isn't running with them on the field
wutbceikmr
0
Sack Carrick now. He is Solksjaer 2.0. Clueless stupid coach. Put Fletcher in Interim and get Antonio Conte. English coaches are not good enough for the EPL. Sell Bruno.
lesabepsyz
1
fallen giant
jakbdeikmz
1
conte no no
jakbdeikmz
1
Fabian huzler is the best
Sadmnops
1
It is immoral for sir jim Ratcliffe, INEOS and Glazers to think to sack Mike Carrick because of the horrible results so far. The owners and the sporting directors blinded by excessive profits, hired mediocre players and expected world class results. It is grossly dishonest on the part of sir jim Ratcliffe, INEOS and Glazers to expect better results than what are obtained presently. Mike Carrick will get a big club after leaving man utd. So we the fans want all the owners and the sporting directors out and we want out club back.
Wiodemnuyz
3
Yes I agree with you Manchester is not silent people like Carrick