Michael Carrick should be gone by tonight, his replacement is staring Man United in the face
Michael Carrick has to be sacked and Cesc Fabregas must be strongly considered as his replacement after Como humiliated Man United in the Champions League.
Carrick has come under further pressure this week after the Red Devils were thrashed 4-1 by the Serie A high-flyers in their second UCL outing of the season.
The United legend has been allowed more goodwill than many of their recent failing bosses, but the heavy defeat saw fans voice their frustrations at him in Northern Italy and on social media.
He could well be relieved of his duties very soon, with the Old Trafford board already likely to have drawn up a list of potential replacements.
Fabregas oversaw a complete decimation of United as Como boss and should be the leading contender to replace Carrick.
The ex-Arsenal and Chelsea star is widely recognised as one of the best up-and-coming bosses in the world and boasts impressive achievements and tactics which should see him strongly considered to take charge at Old Trafford next.
Cesc Fabregas could be the perfect Michael Carrick replacement for Man United
Carrick is now as short as 17/20 with some leading bookmakers to be the first Premier League boss to lose his job in this campaign.
It almost feels like a foregone conclusion that he is out of the Old Trafford dugout before long, as the likes of Antonio Conte and Eddie Howe are tipped to replace him.
The proof is already in the pudding that 39-year-old Fabregas knows how to coach against PL opposition, after his Como side enjoyed better possession, better xG, created more chances and simply toyed with their visitors all evening in the 4-1 win.
He led the Serie A club to European competition for the first time in their history last season, finishing fourth with 71 points ahead of Italian titans like AC Milan and Juventus, so has the CV to back up his clear quality in the dugout.
Fabregas' side have only lost two of their first 10 competitive games this season too, and he is getting the best out of young stars like Nico Paz, Jacobo Ramon and Martin Baturina.
The Spaniard has often reiterated his desire to manage in the Premier League at some point in the future, and United could steal ahead of others by capitalising on their current situation to land him in the coming weeks.
Fabregas already has experience of winning the English top flight, and boasts the fiery personality that many feel is needed to rejuvenate their failing stars.
He would surely prove cheaper than Conte, and while Howe is more experienced, there is a feeling that Fabregas has a higher ceiling as a coach than the Englishman, who is nine years his senior.
Fabregas has addressed the possibility of managing Man United
Despite their troubles, United would surely have no problem tempting Fabregas to Old Trafford if they sack Carrick and make him a top target.
The Como boss has already addressed rumours linking him with becoming Carrick's successor with a predictably dismissive tone.
After being asked about managing United in the future earlier this week, he said: "“I won’t answer that question because I think that’s not a very nice question. I don’t think that shows enough respect to a great footballer and manager like Michael Carrick at the helm of a wonderful Manchester United side.”
This Red Devils squad has been far from wonderful over the last few months, and the Spaniard may well be exactly what they need to replace Carrick as he moves ever closer to an exit.