Michael Carrick will take Manchester United to Elland Road on Sunday with his job suddenly tied to the next 90 minutes.
Reports in Italy claim former Chelsea, Tottenham and Napoli manager Antonio Conte has signaled he is open to replacing him. In England, the trip to Leeds is already being described as the match that could end Carrick’s time in the dugout.
The ground gave way again in Madrid on Tuesday night. Pablo Barrios struck for Atletico Madrid inside the opening minute at the Metropolitano. Leny Yoro was then sent off in the 74th for a last-man challenge on Jonathan David, a red card awarded only after a VAR review and described by Sports Mole as having “looked very harsh”. Substitute Ademola Lookman added the second five minutes later.
That is a fifth game without a win across all competitions. In the Premier League, Carrick’s side sit 13th on six points from six games. The last time United took fewer points at that stage of a season was the autumn of 1986, when Ron Atkinson’s team had only four, a 40-year low confirmed after the recent 1-1 home draw with Tottenham.
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Merson warns of the Elland Road trap
Paul Merson used his Sky Sports slot to frame the Leeds trip as the fixture that can decide everything.
“You go to Leeds, who’s one of Man United’s champion enemies. This is a big, big, big football match. A big rivalry. And it’s one of Leeds’ biggest games,” Merson said on Sky Sports.
Alan Shearer put it in simpler terms after the Atletico defeat.
“[Carrick] needs a result. I don’t care who or what you are, what the size of the club is or how much has been spent. What it all boils down to is attitude. It’s results. And at the moment they haven’t been good enough,” Shearer said.
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Former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson went further on what awaits in Yorkshire.
“Leeds United will be absolutely licking their lips at a wounded Manchester United coming to Elland Road at the weekend,” Robinson said.
Conte “absolutely ready” to come in
Fabrizio Romano has reported that Conte, who left Napoli in the summer and turned down offers from Saudi Arabia and Turkey, is now waiting for the right opening in Europe.
“Antonio Conte is absolutely ready to restart,” Romano said, explaining the Italian had held out because “he wanted to go to a historical club and in a top, top league”.
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Conte himself gave what Romano called a “strong quote” to The Athletic.
“I like when there are clubs with a top history who are maybe now in a difficult moment,” Conte said, framing his next move around restoring a fallen giant.
Inside Old Trafford, the message to the squad is still that Carrick has backing.
Leeds host Manchester United at Elland Road on Sunday, 18 October.
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