Ex-Man United employee reveals if the club are about to sack Michael Carrick

Michael Carrick is growing increasingly likely to be sacked by Manchester United after a miserable start to the season.

A 4-1 defeat against Serie A outfit Como last time out has raised the pressure on his position once again, with some fans feeling now is the time to make a change.

Meanwhile, the Red Devils have won just one of their first seven Premier League games so far, in what has become the worst start to the season in the club's history.

However, former Man United chief scout Mick Brown, who is close to Sir Alex Ferguson, told Football Insider that the board "don't want to" sack Carrick as it will force them into yet another managerial appointment.

So far under INEOS, Erik ten Hag was handed a new deal and then sacked, Ruben Amorim was brought in, backed, and later sacked, and now Carrick, brought in as the interim boss before being handed the full-time job, could follow suit.

The board are reluctant to cause more upheaval, but with Carrick fighting for his job and results stacking up against him, there is a feeling they will be left with no choice.

Could Michael Carrick be sacked by Man United?

Brown told Football Insider on 12 October that Man United had no immediate plans to sack Carrick, despite growing concerns about their start to the season.

Since then, the boss has overseen a 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid, a 1-1 draw against Leeds United and a 4-1 loss against Como, intensifying the calls for his head.

While there is a growing feeling that Carrick may not have long left at Old Trafford, the board are reluctant to make the call and fear it could cause more issues long-term.

"There's no doubt Michael Carrick is fighting for his job because results haven't been good enough," Brown told Football Insider.

"Any manager in the Premier League would be coming under pressure after just one win in seven games, so it will be no different for Carrick and he's got to do better.

"I think he will be given more time if they can afford it, because they don't want to sack him, they don't want to have to make another change.

"INEOS have already been through so many managers, they keep getting things wrong, at some point people have to realise there is only so much the manager can do.

"But they put them blame on Carrick, if results don't improve then they'll have to sack him and then they'll go through the whole process of bringing somebody else in.

"It's only been a few months since they decided Carrick was the man, and all of a sudden having to make another change, it's a bad look for them again.

"So they'll be reluctant to make that decision and I think that's why he's still in the job, because he's showed he can get results out of this team and they hope he can turn it around."

Who is being lined up to replace Carrick?

Growing pressure on Carrick's position at Old Trafford has led to increased speculation about who his replacement could be, with multiple big-name bosses being considered.

Among them is Antonio Conte, who recently confessed he is open to returning to management with a top club after he left Serie A giants Napoli during the summer.

Meanwhile, Brown told Football Insider on 22 October that Man United are keeping a close eye on Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler as one of their top targets.

Brighton's performances this season have placed their manager on the radar of every top club in Europe, who have been wowed by what they have seen.

United are among a number of clubs keeping a close eye on the manager's progress, with Brighton's free-scoring form and defensive resilience placing them second in the league.