The Monaco summit that will decide the future of Carrick and Man Utd

Michael Carrick's future as Manchester United head coach will be determined 800 miles away from Old Trafford in Monaco on Wednesday. Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are flying out for one of their regular pre-planned meetings to discuss strategy around the football club. It is not a situation Sir Jim Ratcliffe can have expected to find himself in again, less than three years after purchasing a minority stake in United.

"Our shared ambition is clear: we all want to see Manchester United back where we belong, at the very top of English, European and world football," he said. Instead, United are 18th, in the Premier League's relegation zone after winning just one of their first 10 games and none since August. It is their lowest position so far into a top-flight season since 1986-87 when they were 20th.

Ratcliffe has been criticised for many decisions since he bought his 28.94% stake for just over £1bn. This is one he really needs to get right.