Michael Carrick makes rare move as two rivals speak out on replacing him

Adding to the tension, captain Bruno Fernandes publicly criticised the team's tactics after the match. Carrick countered by calling out his squad's work rate, pointing to a fundamental lack of effort on the pitch.

United's domestic form offers little comfort, with the team languishing in the bottom half of the table with just one victory from seven Premier League games. The side currently sits closer to the relegation zone than to the European qualification spots.

With reports circulating that United are considering potential replacements, Carrick desperately needs a good win against Bournemouth on Sunday. Here is the latest round-up of United news ahead of a pivotal weekend...

Get the best United news, updates and analysis straight to your Inbox courtesy of the Manchester Evening News!

To get it, it's a simple one-two punch.

Carrick adopted an unconventional approach to his pre-match press conference by delivering a six-minute address before fielding any questions from journalists. He acknowledged the club's present difficulties compared to the "relatively success" of his spell as interim manager.

He referenced the Como loss, describing it as a "bad night," expressed sympathy for the supporters, mentioned figures from United's illustrious history and urged current players to put the club first.

Make sure you never miss the latest Manchester United news and opinion by making Manchester Evening News one of your Google preferred sources.

He said: "It was never about Ryan Giggs, it was never about Ryan Giggs, it was about Manchester United. Wayne Rooney, the greatest goalscorer in the club's history, he played for team. Sir Alex Ferguson, the greatest manager in the club's history..

"Sir Matt [Busby] and Sir Bobby [Charlton], their resilience was beyond belief, what they showed and how they rebuilt this football club. It was built on hard work, humility, sacrifice and we should never forget that. We've lost our way, if I'm totally honest, but we'll get back what it takes."

A pair of potential replacements for Carrick have broken their silence after being linked with the United vacancy. On the back of Brighton's impressive start to the season, Fabian Hurzeler has emerged as a credible candidate should the club opt to make a change.

However, the German coach, 33, insists his sole focus is on maintaining the Seagulls' upward trajectory ahead of their trip to Liverpool on Sunday. He said: "I am really focused on my job here. I have no time to think about these rumours because we play every three days.

"Besides that, I have a lot of respect for Michael Carrick, for what he has done with Manchester United at the end of last season. He is a great human being, he is a great personality."

Meanwhile, Antonio Conte has been prompted to issue a statement after being linked with both United and Juventus, whose manager, Luciano Spalletti, is also facing mounting pressure.

The 57-year-old took to Instagram to stress that he would only contemplate a return to management when he felt "the conditions are right." He said: "My name has been linked with numerous clubs, but there are currently no negotiations at an advanced stage."

Conte added: "I have read reports of financial demands and requests for full control that I have supposedly already made to the clubs mentioned, as well as reservations about what has been described as my 'strong personality.' These reports are unfounded, as there is currently no concrete basis for such assessments."