Manchester United Back Michael Carrick Despite Six-Game Winless Run
Michael Carrick is not facing an immediate Manchester United dismissal despite the club’s six-game winless spell, with senior figures still backing him as the long-term head coach.
Key takeaways
- United are 13th in the Premier League after drawing 1-1 with Leeds United.
- The Leeds result left Carrick’s side without a win in six matches in all competitions.
- Lisandro Martinez publicly criticised the board after the defeat at Atletico Madrid, adding to the pressure around Old Trafford.
- Carrick led United to third place and Champions League qualification last season after taking the permanent role in the summer.
- United travel to Como in the Champions League on Wednesday before welcoming Bournemouth in the league.
United hierarchy retain faith in Carrick
The former midfielder took charge full-time after Ruben Amorim’s difficult exit and delivered a third-place Premier League finish in his first season, securing a return to the Champions League.
But the new campaign has started badly. Results have slipped over the opening two months, while the fallout from Martinez’s outspoken response to the Atletico Madrid loss has intensified scrutiny on the club and its leadership.
Peter Schmeichel believes Carrick retains strong internal support. The former United goalkeeper said the usual pressure attached to managing at Old Trafford is unavoidable, but he does not expect a swift change in the dugout.
“Any Manchester United manager is under pressure,” Schmeichel said. “But is Michael Carrick about to be sacked? I don’t believe that is the case at all.”
Carrick’s only previous senior managerial job came at Middlesbrough, yet the club’s decision-makers are understood to accept that restoring United to the level they expect will not be completed quickly.
Schmeichel said the board have confidence in Carrick and recognise the rebuild requires patience. He added that supporters may differ over the way the process has been handled, but argued that the club need time to reach their target level again.
Champions League test comes next
Schmeichel expects Carrick to be given further transfer windows before his position is seriously reassessed. In his view, the manager should have the chance to shape the squad through another one or two recruitment periods, beyond the constant pressure that comes with the United job.
What happens next is on the pitch. United head to Como for Wednesday’s Champions League fixture, then return to Old Trafford for a Premier League meeting with Bournemouth.
