Mikel warns Manchester United that Carrick always lacked top-level credentials

John Obi Mikel has issued a stark reminder to Manchester United that Michael Carrick’s limitations as a manager were apparent long before the club’s dismal start to the season, with United having won just two of their 12 league games in 2024-25.

Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, the former Chelsea midfielder was direct in his appraisal. “Is Michael Carrick a top manager? No. Did he manage at the top level before getting the United job? No,” Mikel said. “But we all knew that it was going to be a learning process. He did a wonderful job last season, got them back into the Champions League for the first time in a long time. Collectively, these Manchester United players are not good enough. They were dreadful to watch, awful to watch. It was a disaster.”

Carrick’s only significant managerial role before United came at Middlesbrough in the Championship. He was appointed at Old Trafford last January on an initial basis until the end of the season, but a remarkable interim run — which included victories over Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa — lifted the club to third place and earned him the job permanently.

Despite the poor form this season, Carrick survived the immediate fallout from Sunday’s defeat to Bournemouth and will remain in charge for the weekend. The United fanbase has largely directed its frustration at the players and the club’s hierarchy rather than the manager, with supporters singing his name despite the dire display.

Behind the scenes, however, United are understood to be drawing up contingency plans. Eddie Howe, who recently departed Newcastle, and Julian Nagelsmann are reported to be among the frontrunners should the club decide to make a change. Aston Villa’s Unai Emery, Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler, and Antonio Conte are also said to feature on the shortlist.

Carrick is reported to have held clear-the-air talks with Bruno Fernandes following the Portuguese captain’s public criticism of the manager after United’s loss at Como. Fernandes was dropped to the bench at the weekend but could return for Saturday’s fixture at Chelsea.