Ruben Amorim finds himself under huge pressure at Manchester United following the latest defeat to Brentford.
The Red Devils are slumped down in 14th place in the Premier League table after picking up just seven points from their opening six games.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 13 |  BrentfordBrentford | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 11 | -2 | 7 |
| 14 |  Manchester UnitedManchester United | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 11 | -4 | 7 |
| 15 |  NewcastleNewcastle | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
A 3-1 defeat to Brentford was the latest blow to Ruben Amorim’s side, meaning the Portuguese head coach has still not won back-to-back league games since his appointment in November last year.
Amorim’s future at United is in doubt following the poor start to the season, and talk has naturally started around who could replace him at Old Trafford.
Gareth Southgate and Michael Carrick identified by Man Utd
Before Amorim’s appointment, United were heavily linked with Gareth Southgate – a managerial candidate preferred by former sporting director Dan Ashworth.
Transfer expert Graeme Bailey has exclusively revealed to United in Focus that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has met Gareth Southgate numerous times and they met most recently this month.
Southgate is very close to Sir Dave Brailsford who remains one of Ratcliffe’s most trusted advisors.
UIF also understands that Michael Carrick has been sounded out as a potential interim if Amorim is sacked.
Carrick was the caretaker manager after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked in 2021, and he is currently out of a job after being sacked by Middlesbrough in June. It is understood that the former midfielder would be open to taking charge of the side if needed.
However, so far the club insists they are continuing to back Amorim despite the poor start to the season.
Michael Carrick’s record as interim Man United manager
When Erik ten Hag was sacked last season, it was former United star Ruud van Nistelrooy who stepped in to take charge before Amorim eventually arrived from Portugal.
If Amorim suffers the same fate, it seems Ineos have identified Carrick as the suitable interim option.
It wouldn’t be his first rodeo as a temporary United manager, and his record from 2021 suggests he could turn things around for the Red Devils.
READ MORE: Ranking the five managers linked with replacing Ruben Amorim at Manchester United
Carrick had a 66% win rate as manager of United, having won two of his three games in charge. It compares to Amorim’s win percentage of just 39% (19 wins in 49 matches).
Southgate also remains out of a job since leaving his role at England to be replaced by Thomas Tuchel.
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