While head coach Michael Carrick is expected to be in charge for Sunday’s match against Bournemouth, Manchester United have already begun the process of identifying possible replacements.
Eddie Howe, Antonio Conte and Julian Naglesmann are understood to have their eyes on the Old Trafford job.
Sources say Carrick is carrying on as normal and has not been made aware of any imminent change following Wednesday’s humiliating 4-1 defeat by Italian side Como.
That defeat was followed by captain Bruno Fernandes questioning Carrick’s tactics in the Champions League loss.
The players have been given Thursday off, while United are still to confirm arrangements for Friday’s planned news conference to preview the Bournemouth match.
Some senior figures at United are of the view that chopping and changing mangers so regularly in recent years has failed to arrest United’s decline, and that Carrick has been let down by players who are under-performing.
That does not necessarily mean that Carrick is safe, of course.
There remains major uncertainty over his future. But there is also an appreciation in some quarters of the progress that he and his squad made last season, and a view that he should be given more time to turn things around.
For weeks, managers – in and out of work – have grown aware that the United job may become available.
Howe, for example, is available and would be considered. Sources have indicated that the former Newcastle boss is open to returning to management with Manchester United after leaving St James’ Park in the close season.
Former Chelsea boss Conte and ex-Germany manager Naglesmann, who are also out of work, are also interested.
Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery and Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler’s stock is high with those in the corridors of power at United – but extracting them away from their respective clubs would be difficult.
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