Overview
- Manchester United have had an inconsistent start to the 2026/27 season, picking up one win, one draw and one defeat in early league matches and four points from their first four games.
- Club sources and former staff report that the board and INEOS remain willing to give Michael Carrick time despite the slow start and rising fan frustration.
- The 1-0 Manchester derby defeat on Sunday featured a VAR/officials decision that the refereeing body later admitted was wrong, but pundits also criticised Carrick for delaying the substitution of Benjamin Sesko.
- United produced a 4-0 Champions League win over Sabah that highlighted squad potential yet also introduced fixture congestion that will force Carrick to manage rotation and player minutes across competitions.
- Chiefs are pleased with Carrick’s transformation of Kobbie Mainoo and are integrating summer midfield signings Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba, though those players are still bedding in and financial limits on spending may shape squad depth going forward.