Romano drops Man Utd bomba: Carrick future, Conte stance, Martinez tirade, Gabriel update

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Matthew Judge | Editor

Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on Manchester United including the latest on the future of Michael Carrick and the post-Atletico Madrid tirade from Lisandro Martinez.

United backing Carrick - for now

Man Utd have no plans to sack manager Michael Carrick despite the club suffering another loss against Atletico Madrid, according to Romano.

The Red Devils fell to a fourth defeat in nine games on Tuesday as goals from Pablo Barrios and Ademola Lookman put them to the sword in the Champions League.

United have won just two games in all competitions this season, failing to beat Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur despite both sides being reduced to 10 men.

Performances have also been a major concern for supporters, with the 20-time league champions lacking energy in midfield and spark in attack.

However, Romano understands Carrick - who was named permanent head coach on a two-year contract in May - retains the support of the United hierarchy.

In a new YouTube video, the Italian said: “Some of you are asking me, ‘could there be immediate consequences for Michael Carrick [following the Atletico defeat].’

“And the answer is that nothing last minute, nothing like tonight or in the morning or in the next hours, is expected at Manchester United in terms of managerial changes.

“Manchester United are yet to make contact with any other manager to start a conversation [over replacing Carrick] or to prepare the future.

“So at the moment Manchester United keep supporting Michael Carrick.”

Conte ‘open’ to taking job mid-season

Former Chelsea and Juventus boss Antonio Conte is “open” to taking a job mid-season amid speculation linking him with the United post, Romano claims.

Conte, who is available after leaving Napoli at the end of last season, is being mentioned as a possible candidate to replace Carrick should he leave Old Trafford.

In a recent interview with The Athletic, Conte said he wants to take charge of a sleeping giant in his next role - with many believing he was referring to United.

The Italian manager has only taken charge of two teams mid-season - Bari in December 2007 and Tottenham in November 2021.

However, while Conte prefers starting new jobs in the summer, Romano understands he is ready to return to work immediately - provided the right club comes calling.

He said: “Probably the biggest ‘story in the story’, regarding Antonio Conte, is that compared to other situations in the past, when [he] always wanted to wait for a new season [to start a new job], have a pre-season, have his own squad, he would be open, this year in general [and] not just for Man United, to taking a job mid-season.

“So whether it’s Man United or something in Italy or different opportunities, Antonio Conte [is ready to start work immediately] if it’s a historical club [approaching him] because he does not want to go to the Middle East [to] just get the money and go back to Europe in a few years. His idea is to continue in Europe.”

Martinez not alone in questioning United board

Romano says he can “guarantee” that Lisandro Martinez is not the only United player who believes the club should have done more transfer business in the summer.

Martinez launched a scathing attack on the Red Devils’ recruitment policy in a post-match interview with Amazon Prime following the loss at Atletico.

United shelled out €173.2million (£148.8m) on Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos in the summer, while Karl Darlow joined on a free transfer.

In comparison, Man City spent €526.20m (£452.1m), Chelsea paid out €406.7m (£349.4m) and Arsenal dished out €227.1m (£195.1m).

Liverpool also spent €269.6m (£231.6m) on new players, while Tottenham expended €366.3m (£314.7m) on fresh faces.

In the wake of the comments from Martinez, Romano said: “They (United players) were expecting [more activity in the summer transfer market].

“He’s (Martinez) not the only one thinking this in the Manchester United dressing room, I can guarantee this. They were expecting a different number of players to join.

“Probably not only midfielders, Man United decided to go all-in with this midfield rebuild this summer but they did nothing else - up front, centre-backs, full-backs and all the rest.

“And so Lisandro, and I can guarantee, he is not the only one [who] feels they (United recruitment team) could have done more [in] the market.”

United have little chance of keeping Gabriel

United currently have a “five per cent” chance of keeping hold of wantaway academy talent JJ Gabriel, Romano understands.

Various publications claim Gabriel informed United officials of his intention to leave in September, accusing them of broken promises over playing time.

United are believed to have made several attempts to reconcile with the 16-year-old and his representatives - to no avail.

Gabriel, regarded as one of the best young talents in world football, is being linked with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, among others.

“[There is a] ninety five per cent chance for Gabriel to go,” Romano added. “Probably to La Liga, as I always told you since September.

“Paris Saint-Germain also called, also Bayern called, so all these clubs [are making] contact with people close to the player, his family as well.

“But Real Madrid, Barcelona, these are the two clubs who keep talking on a regular basis with JJ Gabriel's camp, trying to understand if they can make it (a deal) happen.

“This situation happening now with the first team (loss of form) is not helping to change the JJ Gabriel situation [for United].”

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Matthew Judge | Editor

Matthew Judge is a freelance sports writer from Liverpool, United Kingdom. He has worked for/had words published by WSL Football (WSL & WSL2), Everton Football Club, The Independent, Daily Mirror, Stats Perform, Goal and Squawka, among others.

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