Man Utd Players Rally Behind Michael Carrick With Overwhelming Support

Manchester United "believe the vast majority" of their players continue to back manager Michael Carrick "wholeheartedly" despite an inconsistent start to the new campaign.

Carrick guided United to a third-place finish in last season's Premier League, accumulating more points (39) across his 17 matches at the helm than title winners Arsenal (36) over the same stretch. The 2026–27 season has gotten underway with five points from five Premier League outings, a comfortable Champions League victory, and an early exit from the Carabao Cup.

United find themselves 12th in the standings heading into the first international break of the season, though a couple of strong results upon the club's return—beginning with a home clash against bottom-placed Tottenham Hotspur on Oct. 10—could quickly shift their position. There seems to be a general understanding that the summer's midfield overhaul needs time to gel—Carlos Baleba has yet to make his debut—and as such, Carrick's position is not under immediate threat.

Fabrizio Romano revealed in a recent YouTube video that there is no "movement to contact" potential managerial replacements and no "direct conversations" with any other coaches or their agents. The situation is, he notes, "completely quiet," with the club hoping it remains that way.

On the whole, Manchester United "retain full confidence" in Carrick. The club believes "the players are also behind the manager" and sees no parallels with previous situations where that support may have wavered. The players "fully back" Carrick's methods and philosophy.

Man Utd Need Clean Sheets

United have netted eight goals across five Premier League matches this season, with only four clubs boasting a higher tally. Across all competitions, that figure rises to 14 in seven games, including four in the Champions League and two in the Carabao Cup.

While virtually every side can always look to score more, keeping goals out remains the more pressing concern.

United's Premier League attacking output mirrors that of Arsenal, who have also scored eight times. However, the Gunners sit seven points ahead because their defensive record tells a very different story. Mikel Arteta's champions have conceded just four goals in five games. Prior to a surprising 3–0 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion just before the international break, they had let in only one in four.

Keeping opponents off the board makes winning considerably more straightforward, as it then only requires a single goal to secure three points.

United were undoubtedly hurt by poor officiating in the 1–0 derby loss to Manchester City, but preventable goals conceded against Fulham (1–1) and Everton (2–2) have likely cost them as many as four points across just two of their five league fixtures.

The Red Devils also did more than enough offensively to win their Carabao Cup tie against Brighton, having held a 2–0 lead heading into halftime, only to ultimately fall 3–2.

Once Baleba gets on the pitch—expected to happen immediately after the international break—an improvement in defensive solidity should follow.

Demanding Schedule Offers No Respite

A three-week gap separates United's last outing and their next fixture due to the extended September-October international window. However, by the time Carrick's side host Spurs at Old Trafford next month, they will be entering yet another grueling run of fixtures.

Between this international break and the next one in mid-November, United are scheduled to play eight times in 30 days across the Premier League and Champions League, including midweek away trips to Spain and Italy.

Man Utd's Next Eight Matches