Michael Carrick is facing mounting pressure at Manchester United after a poor start to the 2026/27 Premier League season, with the Reds winning just one of their opening six fixtures and sitting 13th in the table.
The 45-year-old was appointed as interim manager in January following Ruben Amorim's departure and guided United to a third-place finish in 2025/26, earning a permanent deal. However, optimism has faded after a 1-1 draw with ten-man Tottenham Hotspur, a 2-0 defeat to newly-promoted Hull City, a 1-0 loss to Manchester City, and draws against Everton and Fulham.
Butt reveals Carrick's doubts
Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football, former United midfielder Nicky Butt revealed that Carrick had reservations about returning to management before taking the job at Old Trafford.
Butt said: "I was with Michael before he got the United job and [was] speaking to him about management. He went, 'No, it's not for me. It's too much and my head's all over the shop. I'll only do it for the big job and the big job is United.'"
Carrick enjoyed a 19-year playing career at West Ham, Spurs and United before moving into management, first on a caretaker basis with United in 2021 and then a three-year spell at Middlesbrough, which ended with his dismissal after a 10th-place Championship finish in 2024/25.
Pivotal run of fixtures
United have also been eliminated from the League Cup by Brighton and Hove Albion, deepening concerns over another difficult campaign. Carrick's position has already been questioned, though the club appear minded to retain him for now.
United face seven fixtures before the November international break, including Premier League matches against Chelsea, Aston Villa and Leeds United, plus Champions League ties against Atletico Madrid and Roma. The Reds sit fourth in the Champions League standings after a 4-0 victory over Sabah in their opening group game.
The run begins with a Champions League fixture against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday evening at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, followed by a trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United on Sunday, October 18.
