West Ham could make SHOCK swoop for Michael Carrick if they sack his former United boss David Moyes

West Ham may look to attract former player Michael Carrick should the club take the decision to break with manager David Moyes for the second time.

Carrick, who made over 150 appearances for the Hammers at the beginning of his career, is currently in his first permanent managerial role with Middlesbrough, and said to be looked upon favourably as a replacement for Moyes, as per The Times.

The embattled 59-year-old has been at the club, albeit with an 18-month break where the east London club were managed by Manuel Pellegrini, since 2017, but he has struggled to keep a firm hold on the role in recent months.

West Ham currently languish 16th in the Premier League table, hovering by one point over the relegation zone, and will likely be drawn into conversations about which team will go down at the end of the season.

A cheerless 4-0 defeat to in-form Brighton has compounded the argument for some that Moyes should move on from the club.

Middlesbrough may have a tough time holding onto their manager long-term, who has impressed since his appointment in October.

The Yorkshire club has been transformed since the arrival of the Manchester United legend, rocketing up the table to sit 3rd in the Championship from a dismal 21st when Carrick took over.

Boro's white-hot form has seen them lose only five times across all competitions and his tactical nous has earned his first spot on the Championship manager of the month shortlist for February.

Carrick previously served as assistant manager at United, and was handed the reins as caretaker manager in November 2021, after the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and oversaw a near-spotless record.

Carrick's United won against Villareal in the Champions League to take the Red Devils through to the last-16, and in the league beat Arsenal and drew with Chelsea.

Whilst undergoing his own spell as United manager, Moyes coached his rumoured replacement during Carrick's playing career before his retirement in 2018.

Sportsmail columnist Simon Jordan was asked whether he would hire Carrick if Moyes was sacked on talkSPORT as rumours swirled, Jordan suggested it might be a 'fool's errand' for Carrick.

'Would I replace David Moyes with Michael Carrick? Well first and foremost that's assuming that Michael Carrick would leave Middlesbrough to go to West Ham,' said the former Crystal Palace chairman.

'Carrick is certainly kicking backside and taking numbers at Middlesbrough. But to ask him to step in to a situation at West Ham because currently he looks good at Middlesbrough, for me is a fool's errand.'

News that West Ham may be looking to get rid of their current manager comes against the backdrop of vice-chair Karren Brady's assessment of the season as 'disappointing' considering the 'extraordinarily' expensive summer transfer window.

As well as battling relegation, West Ham are still in contention for Europa Conference League glory, and will have a chance to bounce back from league woes against AEK Larnaca in Cyprus on Thursday evening.