Manchester United have decided to keep Michael Carrick as head coach despite a poor start to the season that has brought just two wins in all competitions. The decision has drawn comparisons with the club's handling of Erik ten Hag, which led to a costly £172 million spending spree before his dismissal.
Carrick Survives After Winless Run
United have gone eight games without a win, a run that would normally cost a manager his job. However, Carrick remains in charge after fan sentiment appeared to influence the club's decision, despite the hierarchy at Old Trafford not being known for listening to supporters.
The players have faced criticism from fans, with boos directed at the squad after Carrick had left the pitch at Old Trafford on Sunday, alongside chants against the club's leadership. While the squad cannot all be replaced and the chiefs are staying, Carrick was widely expected to be the fall guy.
Ineos and the Ten Hag Precedent
This is not the first time Ineos have hesitated over a managerial decision. Sir Jim Ratcliffe has shown a willingness to make cut-throat calls since buying into United, including cost-cutting measures, ticket price hikes and the sacking of Dan Ashworth five months after his appointment. However, he has been less decisive with managers.
In the summer of 2024, after United won the FA Cup, Ten Hag was kept on despite a Premier League finish of eighth place, then a nadir for the club in the Premier League era. Despite meeting Thomas Tuchel in Monaco during a lengthy end-of-season review, United opted to stick with Ten Hag.
Ten Hag was then backed heavily in the transfer window, with Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Manuel Ugarte arriving for a combined £172 million. Two years on, United are trying to sell two of those players, one has played 79 minutes in 11 months, and the other cannot secure a regular place. Ten Hag was sacked two months after that spending spree.
Players Under Fire as Carrick Faces Uphill Task
The decision not to sack Ten Hag in the summer set United back years, with Ruben Amorim appointed mid-season when he wanted to wait until the summer. The 2024/25 campaign was essentially written off, confirmed by defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final.
Now Carrick, who took charge in January, has been given a lifeline despite poor results. United's win percentage since his first game in charge against City on January 17 had surpassed champions Arsenal's, at 70.5 percent compared to 68.4 percent, but that form has not continued.
Recruitment was not good enough in the summer, the fixture schedule is more congested with European football returning, and Carrick's United are no longer a surprise package. Two wins in 12 outings is described as pitiful.
The players are letting Carrick down, whether on the pitch or off it, with incendiary interviews and puerile social media conduct. The side has been beaten 4-1 by Como, lost to newly-promoted Hull, held by 10-man Tottenham, outplayed by Fulham and beaten by Bournemouth.
Carrick has been blamed for some baffling selection calls, including Diogo Dalot at left-back while Leny Yoro played at right-back, Mason Mount used as a left-winger, and the wing-back system used despite evidence showing the team cannot adapt to it. Bryan Mbeumo has been played on the wing despite being United's best back-up in Benjamin Sesko's absence.
Carrick has credit in the bank, but it would be wrong to say none of the blame for United's poor start lies at his door. He needs to be better and, more importantly, the players need to be better. Otherwise Ineos will be left to rue yet another managerial blunder.
