Manchester United’s leadership team is convening in Monaco this Wednesday to determine the future of head coach Michael Carrick. Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox have traveled to the principality for this meeting, which is expected to result in a recommendation for Carrick to leave his post. Michael Carrick’s future as Manchester United head coach will be determined 800 miles away from Old Trafford in Monaco on Wednesday. The main issue to be decided is Carrick’s future and what should happen next, on this occasion.
The discussion occurs as United struggles in 18th place within the Premier League relegation zone. The club has secured only one victory in its opening ten matches and has failed to win a game since August. This represents the team’s lowest league standing at this stage of the season since the 1986-87 campaign, when they sat in 20th position. Instead, United are 18th, in the Premier League’s relegation zone after winning just one of their first 10 games and none since August. This is one he really needs to get right.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who holds a 28.94% stake in the club following an investment of more than £1bn, has faced significant criticism regarding his decision-making. Observers suggest this pending choice is particularly critical for his tenure. Despite the high stakes, officials noted that the location of the meeting—home to Ratcliffe’s residence and Ineos offices—was pre-planned rather than chosen specifically to address the managerial crisis. Less than three years after purchasing a minority stake in United, it is not a situation Sir Jim Ratcliffe can have expected to find himself in again. Ratcliffe has been criticised for many decisions since he bought his 28.94% stake for just over £1bn.
The meeting structure is typically routine, lasting three to four hours and concluding in time for Ratcliffe’s scheduled lunchtime exercise. Executives have indicated that while the choice of venue adds logistical complexity, they prioritize delivering any decision to Carrick in person.
Looking back at December 2023, Ratcliffe expressed a clear ambition to restore Manchester United to the top of English, European, and world football. His vision was much different, on Christmas Eve 2023.
However, the current reality has fallen far short of those expectations.
History shows that previous managerial changes at the club were handled differently: Ruben Amorim was dismissed shortly after an intense media conference following a draw against Leeds in January, while Erik ten Hag was let go after a defeat to West Ham. Ruben Amorim was sacked 19 hours after his explosive media conference following a 1-1 draw at Leeds in January.
Internal records reveal that Ten Hag’s departure was considered during an Ineos executive meeting in summer 2024, only to be deferred following the FA Cup win against Manchester City. A subsequent six-hour meeting at Ineos headquarters in London provided Ten Hag a temporary reprieve before his final exit three weeks later. Similarly, Amorim was summoned to Monaco following a Europa League final loss to Tottenham in 2025. Although in more recent times they are less frequent, sources say the Monaco meetings used to be held every six weeks.
Sources confirmed that while daily communication between senior executives remains constant—making it possible to conduct such discussions via video conference—the preference remains for face-to-face dialogue. As the club faces mounting pressure, this meeting stands as a pivotal moment in determining the immediate path forward for the coaching staff.
