Michael Carrick remains in charge at Manchester United, but form will have to improve quickly if he wants to retain his role for a longer period.

The Reds were the in-form team during the second half of last season under Carrick, and that led to the ex-midfielder being offered the permanent head coach role.

However, after an underwhelming summer transfer window, United are once again in crisis, and Carrick is struggling to turn things around.

With only two wins across all competitions so far this season, Carrick needs to change something in order to get results, or he will eventually be sacked.

In the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, United have tried all different types of managers. Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal were highly experienced; David Moyes was a Premier League-proven manager, while Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim were highly rated young European coaches.

Carrick's return to the club was similar to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – who steadied the ship after Mourinho's sacking and earned the permanent job after impressive form early on.

If that approach does not work, it would not be surprising to see Manchester United try to appoint a head coach with recent experience in the Premier League.

Alan Shearer has suggested that Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler would be a 'good replacement' for Carrick if he is dismissed. The Seagulls have been one of the standout teams so far this season.

Should the Reds be unable to appoint the young head coach, Shearer also noted former Newcastle boss Eddie Howe and Antonio Conte as options.

"If Carrick is relieved of his duties, Hurzeler would be a good replacement, but it's a very different club model at Brighton. I guess the manager you'd also look at is Eddie Howe. You'd look at Antonio Conte," Shearer told Betfair.

"That's what happens when you're not winning football matches as a manager - everyone talks about who will replace you - and Carrick knows that."

It seems like Carrick is still safe in his job, but results are everything in football, and it would not be surprising if United were looking for another manager in six weeks' time.

However, Manchester United cannot afford to write this season off. If Carrick is to be dismissed, they would have sacked managers mid-campaign three years on the trot. It is impossible for the club to build like this.

An interim cannot be appointed, even if the managerial market is not exactly inspiring at the moment. The Reds need to be able to bounce back this season and compete across different competitions.

Hopefully, a new manager is not needed as that will mean that Carrick has started to turn things around, although you cannot blame fans for not believing that will come.