Manchester United face Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon – a game that will be crucial to Michael Carrick's future at the club, despite an impressive midweek win. 

Matheus Cunha rescued a win for the Red Devils in the Champions League, having been 2-0 down at half-time and ended as 3-2 winners. 

Carrick will know even a win may not be enough to save his job, with Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford. 

Both are out of a job, having left Newcastle United and Germany, respectively, but Jason Wilcox will be keen to avoid another mid-season switch if he can. 

Antonio Conte and Unai Emery have also been linked with a move to Manchester United, but both have downplayed the links through social media or press conferences. 

However, Football Insider have reported that both Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann would be "ready" to replace Michael Carrick at Old Trafford. 

The report says that the current head coach could be sacked if the Red Devils are "well beaten" by Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon. 

Manchester United will be without Carlos Baleba, who picked up a hamstring injury against AS Roma, and Lisandro Martínez, who remains suspended after his red card against Chelsea last weekend. 

Unai Emery's side are winless in the last three matches, including a 3-0 defeat to Barcelona last time out, but have impressed at times this season. 

Villa only lost one game in October, while seeing off Newcastle United and Manchester City, and beating Fenerbahce 6-0 in the Champions League. 

Nicolas Jackson looks like a man reborn, having scored five Premier League goals so far this season, with Johan Manzambi also impressing with two goals and three assists this term. 

However, they could be without Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back, while Matty Cash is suspended. 

If Matheus Cunha can build on his impressive performance against AS Roma, Manchester United may just have a chance, and Michael Carrick could keep his job into the international break. 

After the break, United face Liverpool at Anfield, Sporting CP in Lisbon, and Brentford at Old Trafford before the start of December. 

If United are to part ways with Carrick, the international break would be the time to do so, but Jason Wilcox has also proved he is willing to stick by a manager for longer than most would.

Perhaps Rúben Amorim would still be in charge if he had not called out the director of football after a 1-1 draw with Leeds United.