There was an air of inevitability about Michael Carrick’s walk around Old Trafford after the 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth.
It is not unusual for Carrick to applaud the Manchester United fans. If anything, his acknowledgements were not as pronounced as they were in Como after the equally devastating loss.
But after eight games without a win, the worst run since 2015-16 and two horrific defeats in a week, the end is approaching for the United boss.
However, if anyone in a senior position at the club thinks the issues at Old Trafford will be solved simply by changing the head coach and, more importantly, the fans will be appeased by a new face in the dugout, the reaction from the stands on an awful day on and off the pitch would have very clearly told them otherwise.
On Friday, as he looked back on that 4-1 loss to Como and ahead to Bournemouth, Carrick said: “We’ll be a different team on Sunday. We have to be a different team on Sunday.”
Sadly, they weren’t.
Carrick could not answer if he will still be in charge for next Saturday’s trip to Chelsea. He does not know.
“The responsibility is mine,” he said. “What else can I say really right now? I totally understand the situation. I’m not expecting anything either way. I love this place and I’ll always do what I feel is going to be the best for the football club.”
