Manchester United back Carrick with more time despite back-to-back defeats and player revolt

Manchester United will keep Michael Carrick as head coach after the club’s senior leadership met on Monday and agreed to give him more time to reverse a wretched start to the 2026/27 season, according to a report from The Athletic.

The decision comes after one of the most turbulent weeks of Carrick’s tenure. United lost back-to-back matches against Como and Bournemouth, and two of the squad’s most prominent figures broke ranks publicly. Lisandro Martinez directed his frustration at technical director Jason Wilcox and the club’s recruitment strategy, while captain Bruno Fernandes went further, openly criticising Carrick’s tactical approach in the Champions League. Neither player started the defeat to Bournemouth, and Fernandes did not come off the bench.

Despite the unrest, the mood at Old Trafford told a more nuanced story. Carrick’s name was sung by supporters at full time as he completed a lap of applause around the pitch. Once he disappeared down the tunnel, the crowd turned its attention to booing the players — a signal that fan frustration is directed more at the squad than the manager.

The Athletic reports that co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, CEO Omar Berrada, and director of football Jason Wilcox were all part of Monday’s talks. Persistent speculation linking former Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann and ex-Newcastle manager Eddie Howe to the role has, for now, come to nothing.

Carrick was appointed on a permanent basis after serving as interim head coach in the second half of last season, when he steadied a club destabilised by the sacking of Ruben Amorim. His calmer approach appeared to unlock the squad, and United finished third in the Premier League and secured a return to the Champions League — results that earned him the full-time job.

That goodwill has been eroded quickly. Across 12 matches in all competitions this season, United have won just once in the Premier League and once in the Champions League. They have slipped back into the bottom five of the league table and face a difficult path to finish in the top eight of the Champions League’s league phase.

The stay of execution buys Carrick time, but the margin for further error at a club with United’s expectations appears slim.