Manchester United make Michael Carrick sack decision after difficult start

Manchester United have no plans to sack Michael Carrick despite a disappointing opening to the Premier League season.

Carrick has collected only four points from his first four league matches since taking permanent charge, with Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester City increasing the pressure on the United manager.

The circumstances of that defeat were controversial. United lost at Old Trafford despite City playing much of the match with 10 men, while Erling Haaland’s decisive goal was incorrectly awarded following a VAR intervention.

Despite the poor results, United’s hierarchy remain firmly behind Carrick and believe he is still the right manager to lead the club forward.

According to Fabrizio Romano, there is currently no discussion inside Old Trafford about replacing Carrick.

“Man Utd absolutely remain convinced that the future will be bright under Michael Carrick,” Romano said on his YouTube channel.

Carrick earned the permanent position after an impressive spell as interim manager last season, guiding United to third place in the Premier League and securing Champions League qualification.

Expectations consequently increased heading into his first full campaign, but results have fallen short during the opening weeks.

United have managed just four points from a possible 12, leaving Carrick needing an improvement after the international break.

However, Romano stressed that the club maintain “total faith and confidence” in their manager despite acknowledging that the current points return is disappointing.

United also accept that their summer transfer business left Carrick short in one important area.

The club wanted to strengthen at left-back and identified Newcastle United defender Lewis Hall as their dream target.

However, United were unable to complete a deal and ultimately decided against signing an alternative simply for the sake of adding another player.

Romano explained that the hierarchy wanted to be completely convinced by any new arrival and felt the right opportunity was unavailable.

That decision has already come under greater scrutiny after Luke Shaw suffered another injury problem and missed the Manchester derby.

Nevertheless, United's failure to strengthen the position has not changed the club's assessment of Carrick or the squad they assembled during the summer.

Carrick himself also remains convinced that results will turn around.

According to Romano, the confidence the United manager has expressed publicly is the same message he has delivered internally to the club.

Carrick believes his squad is capable of producing significantly better results over the coming weeks and months, with the period after the international break viewed as an opportunity to build momentum.

The immediate challenge is therefore improving results rather than protecting his position.

Despite four difficult opening league fixtures, United's hierarchy appear prepared to give Carrick the time required to prove last season's impressive interim spell can translate into long-term success.

Carrick now needs to turn the club’s internal backing into results on the pitch. United's hierarchy are not considering a managerial change at present, but their poor opening has increased the importance of producing a response quickly.

The international break should provide Carrick with an opportunity to assess what has gone wrong during the opening four league matches before attempting to put United’s campaign back on track.