Just in: Ratcliffe set to make Carrick sack decision after Man Utd officials recommendation

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe will have the final say on Michael Carrick, whose future is hanging in the balance.

The head coach started out in an interim role after replacing Ruben Amorim in January, but eventually earned a permanent contract at the end of the previous campaign after leading the club to a comfortable third-place finish.

However, Man Utd are enduring a catastrophic start to the new campaign, recording a single win in their first 10 Premier League games.

With the club lying in a shocking 18th place, Carrick’s future is anything but certain, despite holding the support of the Old Trafford matchgoers.

At this stage, many fans and pundits are surprised by how the MUFC management has been reluctant to wield the axe, even with the team heading into the international break in the relegation zone.

Most observers expected Carrick to be dismissed after the back-to-back heavy defeats to Como and Bournemouth two weeks ago. However, the 45-year-old somehow survived another loss to Chelsea, before pulling off a sensational come-from-behind win over Roma, and rallying back twice to claim a point in a dramatic 4-4 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday.

But according to The Guardian journalist Jamie Jackson, the decision could finally arrive in the coming hours.

The source reveals that Man Utd’s Director of Sport Jason Wilcox is currently leading the review talks at Carrington.

The former Man City official is in close contact with United’s CEO Omar Berrada. The duo will eventually send a recommendation to Ratcliffe, who heads the club’s day-to-day operations.

The British billionaire will have the final say on the matter.

Although a poor transfer campaign left several unaddressed holes in the squad, it remains insufficient to justify the team’s disastrous first three months of the season.

Carrick may be a popular figure among the fanbase and in the dressing room, but he hasn’t done enough to inspire the team or fix the leaky backline.

Nevertheless, sacking the Wallsend native would be futile if it’s not followed by the right appointment. In other words, United shouldn’t sack Carrick just to bring in another interim coach to see out the campaign, or entrust the team to a new manager with a questionable resume.

Therefore, if Man Utd think they have the right profile lined up for the job, then sending Carrick on his way should be a no-brainer.

Eddie Howe has been identified as the main favourite, but some sources are claiming that Mauricio Pochettino has overtaken him.