What a Carrick sacking at Man United could mean for Arsenal
Michael Carrick's time at Manchester United appears to be drawing to a close, with widespread reports suggesting the club is set to relieve him of his duties before the Premier League clash with Liverpool following the international break. According to football.london, no decision has yet been taken on a replacement, though work is believed to have been undertaken to identify and consider candidates.
Arsenal are yet to face United this season, still without a response to their shock 3-2 defeat to Carrick's side at the Emirates Stadium last season. Arteta's side currently sit top of the Premier League with a 19 point gap after just ten games, while United are down in 18th and sitting in the relegation zone.
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No chance of revenge
Mikel Arteta and Carrick have faced each other just twice, with the two games coming more than four years apart. The first came during Carrick's initial interim spell before Ralf Rangnick took over, which United won 3-2 at Old Trafford.
That same scoreline was repeated at the Emirates last season as Arsenal were stunned on their way to winning the Premier League title. Should Carrick leave United now, Arteta would be denied any chance of a revenge win against him, with wherever Carrick ends up next unlikely to carry the same significance.
A new rivalry, or one revived
Carrick's departure would open the door for a new man in charge, with the key favourites reportedly being former Spurs and Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, ex-Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe, and former Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Arteta has never faced Nagelsmann, while he has never lost to a Pochettino side, winning one and drawing the other of their two meetings. Against Howe, the record is far more extensive, with 14 meetings producing seven wins, five losses and two draws for Arteta.
That record suggests Howe could represent the toughest proposition of the three for Arteta, should he be the one to take the job. Any incoming coach, however, is taking on a role many have described as a poisoned chalice, with few managers able to find consistent success at Old Trafford since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure.
Transfer competition
A new manager at Old Trafford would likely bring fresh investment in the transfer market. Arsenal have gone head to head with United in recent years over a number of targets, including Lisandro Martinez, Declan Rice, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, Mason Mount, Viktor Gyokeres and Jurrien Timber.
Of that list, those who ended up at Arsenal have gone on to win a Premier League title with the club, something none of United's recruits from that group can currently claim. Any renewed transfer battle between Arteta and a new United head coach would likely see Arsenal retain the advantage of offering a more realistic route to major silverware.
With the international break still to play out, United's decision on Carrick's future, and any subsequent appointment, will be watched closely across the division given the knock on effects for sides like Arsenal.
