Two days after that wild 4–4 with Aston Villa, the mood has turned. Manchester United are increasingly expected to sack head coach Michael Carrick after their worst start to a domestic campaign in four decades – one league win from ten and sitting 18th. BBC Sport reports that no final decision has been taken yet, but the expectation is that chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox will recommend a change to minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family.
And the queue is forming. Mauricio Pochettino, now coaching the USA, is interested in the job, according to the Guardian, with the interest said to be mutual. It wouldn’t come cheap: his contract reportedly carries a release clause of around $10m (about £7.5m), and more if his long-time staff come with him. BBC Sport also reports that Antonio Conte is keen, and that the club sounded out Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann back in October.
For the faithful, it’s the same old question: one more manager, or a whole new plan? Whatever happens, Old Trafford will still be full – and still singing.
