BBC Sport's Football Daily podcast brought together Mark Chapman, Chris Sutton, Andros Townsend, and Adam Crafton to dissect one of the most turbulent periods in Manchester United's recent history — and to ask whether any managerial change can undo the harm already done.

United's crisis and the Carrick question

With Michael Carrick's position as manager under intense pressure, the panel debated whether sacking him would genuinely shift United's fortunes — or whether the real damage was inflicted during the summer transfer window. The conversation did not stop at the dugout, with the panellists directing scrutiny higher up the club's hierarchy.

Manchester United are also the subject of a new Amazon documentary, prompting a wider discussion about the experience of having cameras embedded inside a football club. Former Sunderland manager Simon Grayson joined the podcast to offer a first-hand account, drawing on his own experience during the making of Sunderland 'Til I Die. Grayson described the unique pressures and considerations that come with allowing a production crew access to dressing rooms, training sessions, and the raw moments of a football season.

The panel then turned to the question of who should step in if Carrick does depart, exploring the realistic options available to United's board as the club looks to arrest a troubling run of results.

Villa and Jackson finding their stride

The episode also offered a more uplifting storyline. After a difficult opening to the campaign, Aston Villa and striker Nicolas Jackson have both hit their stride in impressive fashion. The panel examined how manager Unai Emery continues to draw the best from his forwards, building confidence and form where others might have panicked after a slow start.

Emery's ability to nurture strikers — a quality he has demonstrated at previous clubs — was held up as a key reason behind Villa's resurgence, with Jackson's performances drawing particular praise from the panel.