MANCHESTER UNITED chiefs acknowledge squad confidence is at a low ebb – but believe players should be giving more on the pitch.
SunSport understands director of football Jason Wilcox is sympathetic to Michael Carrick’s plight, recognising that a restricted summer window has only been compounded by a spate of injuries.
One insider stressed Wilcox was limited by budgets set by and the overarching Glazer family’s legacy debt.
But senior figures were particularly concerned with the manner of United’s 4-1 defeat in Como midweek.
No emergency meetings took place on Thursday but all eyes are on Sunday’s hosting of Bournemouth.
It’s also understood the board has sounded out and , while appears readily available to replace Carrick.
Fabian Hurzeler is widely viewed as the top Prem coach, but Brighton sources are confident the German will stay. It also seems unlikely United would pay around £20m if they could prise him away.
Bringing in Howe would be ironic, as he was originally recommended by then-sporting director Dan Ashworth after was sacked.
But Ratcliffe opted for before Ashworth left weeks later after five months at the club.
Huddle together
United have scrapped their pre-match huddle amid their faltering form.
United incorporated a huddle into their pre-match ritual under Bruno Fernandes’ captaincy in the past two years, having hardly ever opted for one in their history.
But United have ditched the huddle in their past three away games against , and Como.
The players did link up for one final rallying cry from Fernandes in their last home game against Tottenham on October 10 and it is unclear if it will return for the visit of Bournemouth on Sunday.
9 to 5
Despite the illusion of unbreakable team spirit, modern dressing rooms often mirror corporate offices—players are mere colleagues, and the cracks widen fast when results go south.
Fernandes was never someone to chase dressing-room popularity even before his midweek interview questioning Carrick’s pressing tactics.
At least two senior players feel the club want to clear their wages and others feel disillusioned by the lack of summer recruitment.
Tension is simmering behind closed doors, and the friction is now visibly bleeding into the team’s lack of cohesion on the pitch.
Gone left at left back
United could yet sanction exits for two young left-backs – despite not having a single fit senior option in the squad.
Entering his 13th season at Old Trafford, has been ruled out of six of 11 games this term, including all three outings.
, 19, was thrown in during the dying embers of the Como humiliation, but Carrick has played four non-natural left backs to fill in for Shaw ahead of Amass this season.
SunSport revealed Lisandro Martinez’s ‘lack of recruitment’ outburst was in part driven by centre back , 20, debuting at left back during the 2-0 defeat at .
United were open to either a loan or a permanent move for Amass, whose deal expires next summer.
Meanwhile, young left back ‘s agent revealed growing restlessness with the Paraguayan’s lack of first team opportunities.
The 19-year-old has yet to make his United debut since signing from Cerro Porteno in a deal worth up to £7million.
But if Amass cannot get minutes, Under-21 regular Leon surely won’t.
Ell of a rivalry
‘s car was protected by at least four police bikes ahead of United’s 1-1 draw at Elland Road.
One United staff member said it was disappointing to see the club legend be verbally abused by an idiotic fan on his way to the directors box.
Footage circulating on social media shows Ferguson, 83, walking with the aid of a stick following a leg injury, before a bystander catches his attention and hurls an expletive at him.
A section of the home end later chanted abuse at Ferguson during the game, mimicking the same chant they directed at Fernandes.
Family affair
was not in Como as he was struggling with a hip injury, but his family members were.
Rashford’s brothers, Dwaine and Dane, as well as other family members and friends were out in force in Lombardy to watch United’s lifeless defeat.
A popular restaurant with United fans in Como happened to be called Donnarumma. But there was no saving United from a heavy defeat to Cesc Fabregas’s side.
What a Gigg
United legend was in Como as a guest of Welsh football coach Osian Roberts.
Roberts, who assisted at , was interim manager of Como when they secured promotion to Serie A in 2024.
Giggs watched United’s Uefa Youth League defeat to Como’s under 19s.
Tynan Thompson, United’s left winger, particularly struggled and some at the club are already sensitive to criticism of the £8million summer signing.
He was later included in Carrick’s matchday squad, with sources urging patience with a player they believe has first-team potential.
