Manchester United have a seven-person shortlist of names to replace Michael Carrick at the end of the season.
Michael Carrick replaced Rúben Amorim as Manchester United head coach in January, following a two-game interim spell under U18s boss Darren Fletcher, who will lead the young Reds into the FA Youth Cup semi-final on Friday evening.
Carrick got off to a brilliant start with a win against Manchester City after just three days of training, followed by another excellent three points against Arsenal. He continued the winning streak against Fulham and Tottenham, before a disappointing draw against West Ham United.
The Red Devils bounced back with wins against Everton and Crystal Palace, but that is where the superb form came to an end.
United lost their first game under Carrick against Newcastle United at the start of March, before a good win against Aston Villa 11 days later. A week went on, and United were held 2-2 in Bournemouth, but will count themselves unlucky after a harsh red card and no penalty for a foul on Amad.
They returned to Premier League action 24 days later against Leeds United on Monday evening in the worst game of Carrick's tenure. The Red Devils lost 2-1 and received another red card, this time for Lisandro Martínez.
United's Carrick stance after Leeds loss
Michael Carrick had been held in high regard by much of the fanbase before the visit of Leeds United, but the aftermath saw many say that Carrick cannot be the man to lead United into next season. It appears the higher-ups agree.
Sport Bible, via David McDonnell (also known as Disco Mirror on X), have reported that the United hierarchy now has "serious" reservations about appointing Carrick as the full-time boss.
The red card for Martínez may have bided Carrick some time, but the performance before the reduction to 10 men was not good enough.
United are likely to appeal the suspension, which is currently a three-match ban, but it may not be accepted, in line with PGMO rules. Full details can be found here.
United's list of managerial candidates
While they are still assessing Michael Carrick, United also have a seven-man list of replacements who they are considering for the summer, as per Sport Bible.
The first two on the list are England's Thomas Tuchel and Brazil's Carlo Ancelotti, both of whom signed a new contract earlier this year. PSG manager Luis Enrique is also named as an option, but he has been heavily linked with a new deal in the French capital.
Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann has been named as another option, but United would have to wait until after the World Cup for him to join, as he is unlikely to leave his country beforehand.
Aston Villa's Unai Emery, Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola, and Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner are the other three options that are under consideration.
Iraola and Glasner are both leaving their clubs at the end of the season upon the expiry of their contracts.