Monaco summit to decide future of Carrick and Man Utd

Michael Carrick's future as Manchester United head coach is set to be decided 800 miles away from Old Trafford in Monaco on Wednesday. Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox have flown out for a pre-planned executive meeting to review club strategy.

During this strategic session, the primary agenda item will be evaluating Carrick's position and determining the next steps for the struggling club. Expectations indicate that Berrada and Wilcox will recommend relieving the head coach of his duties.

This precarious position is hardly what Sir Jim Ratcliffe envisioned less than three years after acquiring a minority stake in the club. Back on Christmas Eve 2023, his stated vision was to return Manchester United to the very top of English and European football. Instead, the team finds itself languishing in 18th place within the Premier League relegation zone, marking their lowest league position at this stage of a top-flight season since 1986-87.

Sources emphasize that the choice of Monaco as the meeting location was purely coincidental to the timing of Carrick's performance review, rather than an intentional escape from Manchester. However, conducting the meeting abroad adds logistical complexity given the executives' preference to inform Carrick of any outcome face-to-face.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

Previous managerial exits under the current ownership structure were handled swiftly following disappointing results, such as Ruben Amorim's departure or Erik ten Hag's dismissal. Although the club previously opted to give Carrick a chance to turn results around following an international break and a narrow win, defensive frailties and chaotic draws have ultimately forced executive evaluation.