The assumption is yes.

If Ratcliffe was to decide otherwise, it would raise serious questions over the future of Berrada and Wilcox.

How could they work with Carrick again in that scenario?

The pair have been the subject of intense and frequent fan discontent. But sources are adamant that Ratcliffe still retains faith in the pair, even though United are heading towards sacking a manager in mid-season for the third successive year, having backed them in the summer and spend millions on new players.

Ratcliffe is a ruthless operator, and has clear opinions of his own. He also has form, spending £5m hiring Dan Ashworth as sporting director from Newcastle in 2024, then waiting for the 55-year-old to spend five months on gardening leave before he could start work.

Five months later, Ashworth was sacked due to a divergence of opinion over who should replace Ten Hag. Ashworth felt someone with Premier League experience was a better fit for United’s squad. Ratcliffe wanted a more modern alternative. Berrada suggested Amorim. Wilcox, after initial reservations, also got on board. Amorim was dismissed after 14 months.

The other unknown element is the Glazer family. They will need to sign off any decision.

At the time of the Ratcliffe purchase, United confirmed the club’s ‘board’ had handed over responsibility for the football side. But United’s articles of association state that responsibilities delegated by directors can also be “revoked or altered”.

Crucially, of the 12 current directors, six are members of the Glazer family, including co-chairs Joel and Avi Glazer. United’s rules state that if required, the chairman of any meeting will have a second and casting vote.

Although there have been media reports of Glazer dissatisfaction at United’s current plight, there has been no public statement on the matter.