"When we win, people say I'm doing a good job. If we don't win, a lot of it is on me. I accept that." Michael Carrick said those words after Wednesday's defeat at Old Trafford, where the boos were loud enough to drown out whatever optimism remained from last season's unlikely revival.
This is genuinely new territory for Carrick. His interim spell after Ruben Amorim was sacked was so convincing — high-profile wins, a Champions League return, a fanbase briefly believing again — that United handed him a long-term contract. Right now, that honeymoon is over.
Three defeats in six league games. Out of the League Cup. Their most exciting academy prospect has asked to leave. Fans have restarted ownership protests. And then VAR handed Manchester City a winning goal that replays show Erling Haaland did not legitimately score — VAR official Matt Donohue and assistant Blake Antrobus have since been stood down for this round of fixtures, which is a small vindication for United but does nothing for the points column.
Eight points back, and it's only September
United sit eight points behind Arsenal and City going into the next round of games. For context: they haven't won the Premier League since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. Carrick is the seventh permanent manager to try and fail — or in his case, try and be in the process of failing — to close that gap. Louis van Gaal couldn't do it. Jose Mourinho couldn't do it. The list is long and expensive.
Carrick at least has the goodwill of a playing career that gave United fans nothing but silverware — a Champions League in 2008, a full set of domestic trophies alongside Ferguson's last great squad. Fans don't forget that. But love only lasts so long when the performances aren't there.
Sunday's home game against winless Fulham looks like a must-win on paper. In practice, United's recent form makes nothing feel certain — and backing them at anything resembling short odds carries real risk given how this opening stretch has gone.
The wider picture this weekend
- Tottenham vs. Aston Villa is a meeting of two teams yet to find their feet. Spurs spent $400 million in the summer and haven't scored a Premier League goal. Villa have lost most of their key players and have one draw from four games. One of them has to end their misery.
- Arsenal, defending champions, travel to Brighton. Liverpool — where new signing Bradley Barcola is still waiting to make his mark after arriving from PSG — go to Bournemouth.
- Man City host Sunderland. Chelsea's Joao Pedro has withdrawn from Brazil duty injured.
"It doesn't count for much — it's always about what happens next," Carrick said. He's right. And what happens next is Fulham, at home, with Old Trafford already restless.
