Michael Carrick’s impressive revival of Manchester United last season has given way to a difficult start to the 2026/27 campaign, with inconsistent performances leaving the club struggling in the Premier League and already eliminated from the Carabao Cup.
United’s 1-1 draw against Leeds United on Sunday left them 13th in the league, with just one victory from their opening seven matches. The result followed another 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur and a 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atlético Madrid.
Carrick acknowledged that his team had not reached the expected standard, particularly in possession.
“Maybe if you talk about top quality, maybe it wasn’t top, top quality I think we are capable of playing,” he said, according to Reuters.
United have recorded only two wins in their first 10 matches across all competitions, while their Carabao Cup campaign ended in disappointment against Brighton.
The club surrendered a two-goal lead at Old Trafford, with Shea Lacey and Mason Mount scoring early before Brighton fought back to secure a 3-2 victory.
From Third Place to Early-Season Struggles
Carrick took interim charge in January 2026 following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal and transformed United’s fortunes, guiding them to third place and Champions League qualification.
He won 11 of his first 16 matches in charge before finishing the season with 12 victories, three draws and two defeats in 17 Premier League games.
His tactical adjustments included abandoning Amorim’s three-at-the-back system, moving Bruno Fernandes into a more advanced role and restoring Kobbie Mainoo alongside Casemiro in midfield.
However, this season’s results have raised questions about whether Carrick can sustain that progress with the pressure of leading United from the start of a campaign.
Martínez Dispute Adds to Pressure
Carrick’s difficulties have also been accompanied by controversy surrounding defender Lisandro Martínez, who criticised the club’s recruitment strategy and director of football Jason Wilcox following the Atlético Madrid defeat.
Martínez later apologised, and reports indicated that United fined him over the incident. Carrick subsequently said the matter had been resolved.
With United already out of the Carabao Cup and struggling to climb the Premier League table, Carrick faces mounting pressure to restore the consistency that secured a third-place finish last season.
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