Head coach Michael Carrick is set to lead Manchester United against Bournemouth on Sunday, despite the club actively exploring potential replacements. Following a disheartening 4-1 defeat to Como, sources indicate that Carrick remains unaware of any imminent managerial changes, although Bruno Fernandes, the team's captain, has publicly questioned his tactics after the Champions League loss.

The players were given Thursday off, with the club yet to confirm details for Friday's news conference about the upcoming match. Some senior figures at United believe that frequent managerial changes have exacerbated the club's decline and that Carrick has been let down by underperforming players. However, his future remains uncertain.

Several high-profile names are in the mix for the managerial position:

• Eddie Howe: Recently available and reportedly open to returning to management.
• Antonio Conte: Former Chelsea boss interested in the role.
• Julian Nagelsmann: Ex-Germany manager also keen on the opportunity.
• Unai Emery and Fabian Hurzeler: Current managers whose stock is rising but would be difficult to extract from their clubs.

Despite public and financial backing for Carrick, the team's performance has not improved, with only two wins from 11 games, marking their worst run since 2015-16. The pressure is mounting, as Carrick's leadership is increasingly scrutinized amidst a backdrop of poor results and uncertainty surrounding the club's direction.