'It wasn't a farewell from me' - but horror start leaves Carrick on brink

Michael Carrick's tenure as Manchester United manager faces significant doubt following Sunday's 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth. The Red Devils' disappointing start to the season persists, with only one Premier League win from their first eight matches, placing them 16th in the table, 14 points adrift of the leaders.

This defeat has prompted serious discussions among Old Trafford officials regarding Carrick's future, as the team's dismal campaign has worsened.

Carrick, 45, initially took interim charge in January after Ruben Amorim's departure. He was appointed permanent manager in May after guiding the team to an impressive third-place finish and Champions League qualification.

However, Manchester United has not secured a league victory since August 30th, when they defeated newly promoted Ipswich 5-2.

When asked by BBC Sport about potential discussions concerning his future, Carrick responded, "See what happens. I'm not expecting anything. It's just digesting today – we knew it was an important day to try and get us moving forward and we haven't done that." He added, "For me it's just digesting that and the emotions at the end of the game is something I've not really had before."

Carrick made a notable decision to bench captain Bruno Fernandes for the Bournemouth match. This followed Fernandes' questioning of Carrick's tactics during the team's 4-1 Champions League loss at Como earlier in the week.

Fernandes' comments emerged shortly after defender Lisandro Martinez issued an apology for his critical remarks directed at the club's leadership. Martinez had expressed expectations for greater investment in the squad and more from technical director Jason Wilcox.

Carrick, who had a 12-year playing career at Manchester United, made 464 appearances for the club. He remains a popular figure with the fans, who chanted his name during a post-match lap of the pitch following the Bournemouth defeat.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Carrick stated, "It wasn't a farewell from me. I've mixed emotions, I'm feeling it for my players, they're going through a tough spell. Some of it we can help, some of it the situation unravels and the boys are feeling it at the moment." He continued, "Mixed emotions for the supporters to respond in that way. To have that connection with the supporters it's mixed emotions, it'll take a bit of time to digest but I certainly appreciate their support. The situation is where we are and we haven't had results or performances that have been good enough."

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville commented on Sky Sports: "The Manchester United fans are singing the Michael Carrick song because I think they know what's going to happen here. They've seen this before. He's one of their own and he's popular. But the owners, the sporting department and the players are not popular and they've badly let this football club down. Those two [Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox] tomorrow are probably going to make a decision that will disgust Manchester United fans, but it's probably necessary. It's just an absolute mess."

The supportive chants for Carrick shifted to boos after he left the pitch, with supporters expressing their frustration towards the players and club hierarchy.

Former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison observed, "That says everything to me. They're with Carrick the fans but they're not with the players. Wow. That was alarming. Carrick got a big cheer but as soon it was just the players, they got booed. But they've not been good enough and they deserve to get booed. There's only so much a manager can do. The players are not good enough, in my opinion, to win football matches."

Ex-Manchester United full-back Ashley Young added, "Unfortunately for Michael Carrick, it's so disappointing. The fans are behind him and backing him and of course they are, because he's a legend of the football club. But the players on the pitch showed nothing. They didn't run, they didn't look like a team together. If you looked at the difference to the Bournemouth team, you'd swap every single player for that Manchester United team. It was a poor showing."

With Fernandes on the bench against Bournemouth, Harry Maguire captained the side. After the game, Maguire affirmed Carrick's full support from the dressing room, telling BBC Sport, "We're fully behind Michael [Carrick]. Coming into the team last season he turned things around and got Champions League football this season. As individuals, we're not playing well enough."

Carrick has secured only two Premier League wins since his permanent appointment.

Maguire acknowledged the team's downturn in form, stating, "When you play for this club you know you're two or three games away from that happening. You have to find something within yourself to help the club, help the team and get out of this. We will start winning football matches but we have to do it quickly."