Favourable conditions and the rub of the green were behind Manchester United’s successful finish to last season

Manchester United have been the third-best team in the Premier League for the period in which Michael Carrick has been their head coach. It is some effort for his job to be so under threat when only Arsenal (57 points) and Manchester City (56) have been more productive than United (46) during the 45-year-old’s tenure.

The tally obscures pertinent facts. Carrick’s side topping the Premier League across his 17-match interim spell last season is irrelevant when they sit 16th with no win in eight games in all competitions. Losing narrowly against City is one thing, but three-goal defeats by Como and Bournemouth will surely spell managerial change.