Manchester United are on the verge of dismissing manager Michael Carrick, with the club firmly rooted in the Premier League relegation zone following a catastrophic opening to the season.

Reports indicate the club's leadership is determined to make a change in the dugout before the Red Devils' next fixture — a daunting trip to Anfield to face Liverpool.

A season unravelling at Old Trafford

United's crisis deepened on Sunday after a remarkable 4-4 draw at home to Aston Villa left the club 18th in the top-flight table. That result extended a miserable run that has seen them win just one of their opening 10 Premier League matches — a record that leaves Carrick's position all but untenable.

The club's hierarchy has not yet formally decided on Carrick's fate, but sources suggest potential replacements are already being assessed behind the scenes. The speed of events points to an announcement before the Liverpool fixture.

Pressure mounts at the top

The 4-4 stalemate against Aston Villa was an extraordinary match that summed up United's season so far — moments of promise swiftly undone by defensive fragility and inconsistency. Conceding four times at home has further inflamed a frustrated fanbase already demanding answers from the board.

With a fixture against Liverpool looming, the timing of a potential managerial change adds further complexity. Anfield is among the most hostile grounds in English football, and arriving there in a state of transition would represent a severe test for any interim setup.

United's search for a new manager is reportedly under way, as the club looks to arrest a decline that has left one of England's most storied clubs fighting to avoid relegation in what remains an early but alarming stage of the campaign.