Carrick's Man United in relegation zone for first time in 40 years
Forest beat City 3-1 and United dropped into the bottom three after nine games. Aston Villa visit Old Trafford next, and Carrick's future is in doubt.
Manchester United ended a day in the Premier League relegation zone for the first time in 40 years at this stage of a season. Nottingham Forest's 3-1 win over Manchester City, City's third straight league defeat, sent them into the bottom three.
According to ESPN, it is the first time since November 1986 that United have played at least nine top-flight games and ended a day in the drop zone. Back then they were 21st after 15 matches, and Ron Atkinson was sacked, with Sir Alex Ferguson taking over at Old Trafford.
A start to forget
If Sunderland beat Chelsea on Sunday and Crystal Palace avoid defeat to Liverpool, United will fall to the bottom before hosting Aston Villa later that day. Michael Carrick's side have not won a league game since a 5-2 home win over Ipswich Town on August 30, and this is the worst start in the club's Premier League history.
Carrick, 45 and a former United midfielder, is under severe pressure. Tuesday's 3-2 Champions League win over AS Roma eased it, but his future is still in doubt and defeat to Villa could be the end of the road. On Friday he said: “It's a positive reaction,” and added: “I know what we're capable of. We've just not proved it enough lately, but we know it's there.”
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