Michael Carrick is expected to remain Manchester United manager for Wednesday’s Champions League visit to Como, despite the club extending their winless run to six matches.
United drew 1-1 away to Leeds United on Sunday, leaving them with three draws and three defeats in their past six games in all competitions. They have won only two of their 10 matches this season.
Carrick is under increasing pressure, with several sources in Italy and the United Kingdom reporting that Antonio Conte could be considered as a mid-season replacement. However, the former England international is not currently expected to be dismissed.
There is reportedly support for Carrick within the Manchester United dressing room. Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez publicly backed the manager in an interview which went viral after United’s Champions League defeat by Atletico Madrid earlier this week.
According to Express.co.uk, other senior players privately share Martinez’s view.
“That sentiment is privately echoed by other senior figures in the dressing room, and this was a showing packed with the determination and resolve that proves it. Even though it lacked the cutting edge United needed in attack,” the newspaper wrote after Sunday’s draw with Leeds.
Express reported that Carrick would be given more time to improve Manchester United’s results and preserve his position. He is therefore expected to lead the side from the touchline when they travel to Como in the third round of the Champions League on Wednesday.
Como will go into the fixture after an impressive result of their own. They beat Fiorentina 3-1 away from home on Sunday.
Both clubs have collected three points from their opening two Champions League matches and have an identical goal difference of +2.
Como have scored six goals in the competition, compared with Manchester United’s four, but have also conceded more. The Italian side have allowed four goals, while United have conceded two.
The match will be another test of Carrick’s position as Manchester United attempt to end a run which has placed the manager under scrutiny, although reports indicate that Conte is unlikely to replace him at this stage.
Lorenzo Bettoni is the Editor of Football Italia.
