Michael Carrick's Manchester United future under immediate threat after Bournemouth loss

Manchester United's 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth has pushed Michael Carrick into serious danger, with Manchester United's managerial situation moving fast after another damaging night at Old Trafford. Eddie Howe is the clear favourite to take over, while Carrick was appointed on a two-year deal only five months ago.

The Old Trafford defeat

Manchester United vs Bournemouth was ugly from the start. Evanilson, Rayan and Marcus Tavernier were among the scorers in a result that left United beaten 3-0 at home and under even heavier pressure before the final whistle.

The fallout is not built on one afternoon alone. United went into the game after a 4-1 defeat at Como in the UEFA Champions League, and their league return is already poor, with 7 points from 7 matches and 15th place in the Premier League.

Why Howe is being talked about

Reports around the club now place Eddie Howe as the clear favourite to replace Carrick. The Standard said Howe is the clear favourite to take over as Manchester United manager, with Carrick on the brink of being sacked.

That is still a reported situation rather than a formal change. But the pressure is now severe enough that United's defeat list is being read alongside the next-manager market, not just the current run of results.

Bruno Fernandes was on the bench and did not come on, another sign of how flat the evening felt for United. Leny Yoro also features in a side that has now dropped into a run that looks difficult to defend, especially with the Champions League table showing United 20th on 3 points from 3 games.

Carrick's position is the central issue now. The Bournemouth result did not settle anything officially, but it has taken the pressure to the point where a change looks close, and Howe is the name leading the conversation.