John Obi Mikel tells Man Utd to make move for 'genius' Premier League manager
There had been a sense of optimism amongst the Old Trafford faithful ahead of the new season after Carrick picked up the pieces from Ruben Amorim to steer United to a third-placed finish in the Premier League last term. The club's remarkable resurgence saw Carrick handed the role full-time in the summer, with the former England international putting pen to paper on a two-year contract.
But United's campaign got off to a poor start as they werecomfortably beaten by newly promoted Hull Cityand results have further spiralled in the intervening two months, leaving the Red Devils languishing down in 16th in the table. A pair of losses to Atletico Madrid and Como in the Champions League - followed bypublic criticism from captain Bruno Fernandes- only intensified doubts over Carrick's immediate future in the hot seat.
Sunday's dismal 3-0 defeat at the hands of Bournemouth represented United's eighth match without a win in all competitions and it appeared the writing was on the wall for a dejected-looking Carrick after the final whistle. However, widespread reports indicate that the 45-year-old will be in the Stamford Bridge dugout for United's trip to Chelsea in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off.
The come week in, week out, see what goes on, and they know exactly where the problem lies,' ex-Chelsea midfielder Obi Mikel said of United's desperate early-season struggles on The Obi One Podcast. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about - powered by Metro and trusted publications.
'Is Michael Carrick a top manager? Did he manage at the top level before getting the United job?
'But we all knew that it was going to be a learning process. He did a wonderful job last season, got them back into the Champions League for the first time in a long time.
'Collectively, these Manchester United players are not good enough. They were dreadful to watch, awful to watch.
' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser thatsupports HTML5 video Former Newcastle boss Howe is seen as the frontrunner to take over the reins should Carrick be relieved of his duties at the Theatre of Dreams, with Nagelsmann also believed to be in the running. Obi Mikel believes United should look no further than Aston Villa head coach Emery, despite the Spaniard's less-than-convincing 18-month spell in charge of Arsenal.
Asked if Howe or Nagelsmann would be his number one choice for United, Obi Mikel replied: 'Neither. I would go for Unai Emery.