We have now reached that point- Michael Carrick is most likely the next Premier League manager to be sacked, according to all the outfits who do business in these kinds of things.
It’s easy to understand why, given that Manchester United are off to their worst start in the league in 40 years. Today saw a score draw with Leeds United, meaning the Red Devils have only taken seven total points from seven matches.
UEFA Champions League Matchday 3 of 8
Kickoff: Wed. Oct. 21, 5:45pm
Venue: Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, Como, Italy
Lisandro Martinez’s epic rant in full, and analysis of: go here
UCL Standing, Form: Manchester United 13th, 3 pts WL Como 12th, 3 pts, WL
Result Probability, According to Google: Manchester United win 33% Draw 25% Como win 42%
United have only one victory in the Premier League, and it was back in week two, and against a newly promoted side in Ipswich Town.
They haven’t beaten anybody in any competition since conquering FK Sabah 4-0 in the UEFA Champions League on Sept. 10, so literally, they have not won a game in well over a month.
Ahead of the trip to Como on Wednesday, the growing pressure on Carrick overshadows everything else.
A loss here in midweek won’t automatically bring the sack, but it would move his seat temperature from hot to utterly scorching.
The Como side they’re taking on is doing much better in their domestic league than United are, as Cesc Fabregas has his program rolling right now.
Man United Team News
Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw missed out again, left out of the Roses Rivalry matchday squad today. It is thought that their injuries are not serious, and they should be, basically, 50/50 propositions for Wednesday night.
Then again, they were also 50/50 for the weekend.
Noussair Mazraoui is in a better place, as he’s at least done some training. He might be 75/25 for this match.
Otherwise, the United team news/injury/fitness situation remains the same as it was entering the Leeds stalemate.
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, Ratings and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and the Washington Post.