Carrick is already under pressure at Man Utd - another defeat would be unthinkable

Michael Carrick rode the crest of a wave last season to get Manchester United back on the biggest stage.

This season, Carrick looks as if he is drowning in the expectation levels, demands and ongoing soap opera at Old Trafford.

Make no mistake. Carrick is now under the cosh. United go into this weekend 13th in the table after a disappointing start. They are out of the Carabao Cup.

And, worst of all, the United fans made their feelings plain. They booed Carrick and his players off the pitch after the defeat to Brighton. It felt a big moment in Carrick’s reign.

United’s fans are notoriously loyal, supportive and pride themselves in backing managers - rather than calling for them to be sacked. It is genuinely one of the best things in football.

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The self-proclaimed biggest club in the world probably have more right than most to boo, jeer and get angry.

United have been stuck in a cycle of under-achievement and yet the fan base bought into Carrick because he is a club legend. Just like they did with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. They are desperate for it to work. And yet United are in serious danger of making the same mistakes all over again.

Carrick gave the club such a lift as interim boss after Ruben Amorim’s spell in charge. After the shackles of Amorim’s rigid and failing tactics, Carrick felt like a breath of fresh air. He did a fantastic job. The upturn was remarkable.

It swept United along into the Champions League places and we were all guilty of making the same mistake: saying he deserved a chance. And, to be honest, it still feels like he did.

But this is Manchester United. You do not win prizes or become successful by making popular decisions. The summer was when United should have thought about bringing in a stellar name, elite manager and one who could have taken the club on the next step of the journey.

Sadly, it still feels like Carrick is the interim despite being given the job on a permanent basis. That is down to perception and also perhaps Carrick and his staff - including the vastly experienced Steve Holland - failing to convince us otherwise.

It was a patchy transfer window to put it mildly. Youri Tielemans was a good buy. Carlos Baleba is one for the future. Andrey Santos for £48m is mind-boggling. He was not a fixture at Chelsea.

In the summer of 2025, United beefed up the attack - and yet still the three big purchases do not always start together. Benjamin Sesko is still largely a sub. Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo are more regular starters but we’re still not sure how they dovetail together.

The defence lacks strong foundations. The midfield is a work in progress. And the heat is on the manager. To make matters worse, the academy’s jewel in the crown, JJ Gabriel, wants out.

United could look to blame VAR for the Manchester City defeat. But excuses run out when you throw away a two-goal lead (the first time in 50 years at home) against Brighton.

This season was always going to be the real test. European football, bigger expectations and building on last season all with extra fixtures and a demand for silverware.

Carrick says he can deal with the pressure. Though that was not the case as he got bad tempered and snappy after the defeat at Hull City. He said, after they beat Ipswich the following week, the criticism was too much. No, it’s to be expected when United lose at Hull.

Now, United go to Fulham on Sunday knowing that another defeat will raise a hell of a lot of questions about Carrick ahead of a painfully long international break.

If United lose then the 20 days before their next game will be torture. Carrick will feel heat like never before. The longer break will only increase the pressure.

But it already feels like United are in danger of enduring another wasted season and going for the romantic, popular decision by appointing the likable club legend will have backfired badly.