Manchester United’s boardroom has reached a grim consensus: Michael Carrick’s time as manager is over. The former midfielder’s tenure, once seen as a bold gamble after his success in guiding United to a 12th-place finish last season, has unraveled with alarming speed. Since his reprieve in October—when the club extended his contract despite early struggles—Carrick has won just one of his last four games, a record that now makes his future at Old Trafford a formality.
The writing was on the wall long before this season’s collapse. Carrick’s only managerial experience prior to taking charge at United was with Championship side Middlesbrough, a club that finished 12th in 2022-23. Yet, United’s ownership bet on his familiarity with the club’s culture and his tactical acumen, believing his leadership could stabilize a squad in transition. That bet has since turned into a liability. The team’s current position in the Premier League relegation zone—with a string of defeats against sides like Chelsea, Tottenham, and West Ham—has forced even the most loyal supporters to question whether Carrick’s methods are fit for purpose.
The urgency of the situation is underscored by the fact that Manchester United’s next game is a high-stakes clash against Liverpool at Anfield on November 22. A defeat would further cement Carrick’s unenviable legacy as the shortest-tenured manager in the club’s modern history. Internal discussions, though still ongoing, have already shifted toward acceptance that a change is necessary. The board’s initial optimism—rooted in Carrick’s ability to navigate United’s post-Pep Guardiola transition—has been replaced by a cold calculation: results demand a new approach.
What remains unclear is who will replace Carrick. The club’s search for a successor has intensified, though no official announcement has been made. One thing is certain: the next manager will inherit a team in freefall, with morale at an all-time low and the Premier League title race already out of reach. For Carrick, the Liverpool game will be his final curtain call—a test that may well determine whether he exits Old Trafford with any dignity left.
