Carrick Insists Manchester United Remains a Manageable Club Despite Poor Run

1 hour ago·3 min

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has pushed back against the idea that Old Trafford has become an unmanageable club, delivering a blunt one-word rebuttal when the notion was put to him: "No."

The denial comes at a difficult moment. Carrick heads into Sunday's Premier League clash against Bournemouth having gone seven games without a win — a run that has intensified scrutiny on his position. Tensions have risen further after senior players Lisandro Martinez and Bruno Fernandes made public criticisms of both the club's recruitment strategy and Carrick's own tactical approach.

Should Carrick be dismissed, it would represent a third managerial change in three seasons, and would add his name to a long list of eight bosses who have failed to come close to matching the legacy of Sir Alex Ferguson, who stepped down in 2013. Critics argue that the club's high-profile ex-players running their own media platforms, combined with a booming fan channel scene attracting huge audiences, makes United uniquely difficult to manage. Carrick is not persuaded.

Defending his tactics

Carrick has accepted that his side's performance in the 4-1 Champions League defeat at Como on Wednesday was "unacceptable." However, he pushed back firmly against accusations that his team lack intensity and do not press the opposition.

"You've got to be careful with just saying 'not running'," Carrick said. "We've won a lot of games over a period of time and this pressing thing; pressing is one small part of football."

He questioned what the word "pressing" even means in practice, arguing that different teams apply different methods and that the term has become overused. "It's just thrown about as a bit of a word at the minute," he said. "You don't necessarily need to press to win games of football. Sometimes you do, sometimes you don't."

Carrick also challenged the idea that running statistics alone determine results, calling on his squad to return to the form they showed in the previous season and in patches of the current campaign.

Support from Ferguson and Solskjaer

Despite the pressure, Carrick retains the backing of two of Old Trafford's most prominent figures. He confirmed this week that he has been in contact with both Ferguson — who is approaching his 85th birthday and remains a regular at matches — and former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who Carrick succeeded as Ruben Amorim's replacement in January.

The relationship between Carrick and Solskjaer remains close. Solskjaer travelled to United's Trondheim base in July to spend time with Carrick and the coaching staff ahead of the pre-season win over Rosenborg. Ferguson, who signed Carrick from Tottenham in 2006 and managed him in his 2017 testimonial at Old Trafford, remains a trusted voice.

"I speak to both of them quite regularly," Carrick said. "There's nothing particular in that. I'm close to both of them. It's nothing different this week."

Conviction ahead of Bournemouth

Carrick insists he believes his squad can turn things around, and he is placing his trust fully in the players to deliver against Bournemouth on Sunday.