United players have 'lost belief' in Carrick as nine-game winless run deepens crisis

Manchester United’s 2-0 home defeat to Chelsea on Saturday has deepened the crisis around manager Michael Carrick, extending the club’s winless run to nine games in all competitions — their worst such streak since 1988.

Morgan Rogers set Chelsea on their way with a stunning solo run and chipped finish before Lisandro Martinez was dismissed for two yellow cards, allowing Cole Palmer to convert from the penalty spot and seal a comfortable victory. The result leaves United just a point above the Premier League relegation zone.

Carrick, 45, said he expected to remain in charge for Tuesday’s Champions League tie against Roma, having survived crisis talks earlier in the week following a 3-0 defeat at Bournemouth. His reaction on the Old Trafford pitch after that loss — waving to supporters in what appeared an emotional farewell — had led many pundits to expect his dismissal before the Chelsea fixture.

Former England left-back Ashley Cole, speaking after the game, delivered a damning assessment of Carrick’s position. “You talk about the players not believing in the manager at the moment,” Cole said. “Well, you need to find someone who the players will believe in.”

Cole acknowledged Carrick’s qualities but argued that a change of personnel — both in the dugout and in the squad — was now unavoidable. “I think it’s going to have to be a new manager and some personnel that come in in January that can work in a similar way to the top teams,” he said, pointing to Chelsea’s ability to dominate possession and dictate terms as the standard United must aspire to.

The pundit also highlighted a lack of personality and confidence in United’s play, noting that Chelsea — a young side themselves — repeatedly forced their hosts into uncomfortable positions. “Manchester United don’t seem to play with that confidence,” Cole added.

Carrick took over following Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s sacking and initially steadied the ship, overseeing an upturn in results towards the end of last season. However, the current run has erased much of that goodwill, and the pressure on the club’s board to act is now considerable.