United face scrutiny after Atlético defeat as Carrick pressure grows

Manchester United’s 2-0 Champions League defeat away to Atlético Madrid on October 13 has intensified scrutiny of manager Michael Carrick, but the club has not announced a decision about his future. Reports describe concern about the team’s results and identify upcoming matches as important to his position, while claims about possible successors remain attributed to individual journalists. United have won two of nine matches in all competitions this season, according to one account. The loss in Madrid extended their winless run to five games, another report said. Carrick’s next listed fixture is an away Premier League match against Leeds United on October 18, followed by a Champions League game at Como on October 21 and a home match against Bournemouth on October 25. Journalist Nicolò Schira reportedly said United’s board is dissatisfied with recent performances and that those three fixtures will be significant for Carrick. The reporting does not establish that the club has set a formal deadline or decided to dismiss him. The matches are scheduled tests, not confirmation of an ultimatum.