Carrick's grip loosens after Leeds stalemate

A point at Daniel Farke's Leeds United was never going to settle anything for Michael Carrick, and it didn't. Six games without a win is the number doing the damage now, and it's the number multiple reports say INEOS are weighing as they quietly explore life after Carrick.

The Elland Road picture

Carrick spoke afterwards about 'unity' in the dressing room, according to BBC Sport, the kind of word managers reach for when the result doesn't do the talking for them. Bryan Mbeumo gave him something to point to, but one goal from one player doesn't cancel out a run that's now stretched to half a dozen games without three points. GiveMeSport reported that fans turned on Amad Diallo after a performance one supporter called 'terrible'. Bruno Fernandes, meanwhile, is being written up by GiveMeSport as a player heading the way of Marcus Rashford at Old Trafford: fading fast, under scrutiny, out of favour with a section of the support.

INEOS circling

The managerial reporting has moved fast and not always consistently. Football365 reported on 12 October that United had 'decided to stick with' Carrick, only for later reporting from the same outlet and from journalist Nicholas Whitwell to describe his position as 'beginning to feel precarious' and his sacking as something closer to inevitable. Fabrizio Romano has been credited across multiple outlets with reporting a 'biggest story' update on Antonio Conte, with claims of an 'agreement in principle' for Conte to take over, though no club confirmation exists. Football365 also reported Conte has made a transfer demand as part of any move, reportedly pushing for three January signings before he'd formally say yes.

Conte isn't alone in the conversation. Eddie Howe has reportedly received an 'approach' and is said to be 'ready to return' to management, according to Football365. Fabian Hurzeler's name has circled via Romano, alongside Unai Emery, Kieran McKenna and Gareth Southgate, the latter reportedly having 'reached a decision' on the job according to Football365. GiveMeSport ran separate pieces arguing United should skip Conte entirely and go for McKenna or Emery instead, which tells you how unsettled the whole conversation still is. Nobody outside the building seems entirely sure whether INEOS have launched a formal process or are simply keeping the file open.

Martinez, Wilcox and the wider mess

The noise off the pitch has matched the noise on it. Lisandro Martinez put out a 271-word statement, reported by Football365, clarifying comments after an earlier outburst aimed at sporting director Jason Wilcox. The club reportedly called an emergency meeting in response, with Football365 describing the mood internally as 'full crisis mode'. Separately, GiveMeSport reported eight players absent from training ahead of United's Champions League trip to Como, a number significant enough on its own without the managerial soap opera layered on top.

Football365 also reported that INEOS have 'privately admitted' a transfer mistake over two summer signings, and that Carrick has been told he'll have 'no involvement' in January business regardless of what happens next. Put together: a manager under pressure, a boardroom reportedly shopping for his replacement, a dressing room row needing containment, and a treatment room with eight absentees. None of that is solved by one name on a touchline.

What actually happens next

Leeds, according to Football365's Matt Kilgallon, sensed weakness and went after it, with the piece describing Farke's side as ready to 'feast on a carcass'. That's the kind of line that sticks to a club once it starts circulating, fair or not. Conte remains the name attached to most of the 'agreement' reporting, but agreement and appointment are different words, and nobody outside Old Trafford has put a date on either. Until INEOS actually move, Carrick keeps the job by default rather than conviction, which at a club this size rarely counts for much.