Manchester United’s leadership team, including minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada, and director of football Jason Wilcox, are set to deliberate on the future of head coach Michael Carrick. The critical discussions will take place in Monaco this Wednesday, approximately 800 miles away from the club’s Old Trafford home. The main issue to be decided is Carrick’s future and what should happen next, on this occasion. How close is Carrick to Man United exit.
While Berrada and Wilcox are traveling for a pre-planned strategy meeting, the primary item on the agenda is now Carrick’s position and the team’s trajectory. Expectations suggest that the executives may recommend a coaching change as the club faces a historic performance slump.
United currently languishes in 18th place, occupying a spot in the Premier League’s relegation zone. Having secured only one victory in their opening ten matches and failing to record a win since August, the club is enduring its lowest top-flight standing since the 1986-87 season, when they sat 20th. Instead, United are 18th, in the Premier League’s relegation zone after winning just one of their first 10 games and none since August. This is one he really needs to get right.
The pressure on Ratcliffe is significant, as his tenure has faced heavy criticism since acquiring his 28.94% stake in the club for over £1bn. Recalling his sentiments from Christmas Eve 2023, Ratcliffe had expressed a clear vision: “Our shared ambition is clear: we all want to see Manchester United back where we belong, at the very top of English, European and world football.”
The choice of location for this meeting is largely coincidental; Ratcliffe maintains a residence in Monaco, and his company, Ineos, operates offices within the principality. Insiders emphasize that the meeting’s venue was not selected to address the specific crisis surrounding the head coach, though it has naturally become the central topic of discussion.
The club’s management structure typically requires travel for these sessions, which have been scheduled in diaries for some time. However, the travel logistics add complexity, as Berrada and Wilcox prefer to communicate any major decisions to Carrick in person rather than via video conference, despite the availability of daily digital contact.
Historical precedents for managerial exits at United have varied in their execution.
Previous manager Ruben Amorim was dismissed 19 hours after a controversial media appearance following a draw at Leeds in January. Erik ten Hag’s departure was preceded by a chaotic period; a decision to sack him was initially approved by senior Ineos executives in the summer of 2024, only to be rescinded after an FA Cup final victory against Manchester City. Ten Hag eventually survived a six-hour review in London four months later before being removed weeks thereafter. Additionally, Amorim was summoned to Monaco following a Europa League final loss to Tottenham in 2025. Ruben Amorim was sacked 19 hours after his explosive media conference following a 1-1 draw at Leeds in January.
Regarding the routine of these meetings, attendees note they usually span three to four hours in the morning, concluding promptly to accommodate Ratcliffe’s scheduled lunchtime exercise. While these gatherings formerly occurred every six weeks, they have become less frequent in recent times.
