Manchester United fans and several club legends are calling on the club’s hierarchy not to appoint Michael Carrick as the permanent head coach, citing concerns that the team’s playing pattern is not yet at the optimal level.
Softfootball gathered that critics believe United’s convincing performances under Carrick have only come against Arsenal and Manchester City. According to them, other results have relied heavily on moments rather than consistent control of matches.
They pointed out that the victory over Fulham came through a last-minute goal, while the win against Crystal Palace involved a “cheeky penalty” and a red card before United secured a 2:1 victory.
In the match against Newcastle United, critics highlighted that there was also a red card incident but United still failed to properly control the game, eventually losing 2:1 on Wednesday, 4 March 2026.
They further argued that United have struggled to move the ball effectively in several games and often begin matches slowly. The first 20 minutes of recent fixtures, according to observers, have consistently seen the team struggle to settle.
Additional examples were cited, including the match against Everton where United converted their chances but did not dominate possession or tempo. In the 1:1 draw with West Ham United, United needed a last-minute equaliser to avoid defeat.
Critics also referenced the game against Tottenham Hotspur, noting that Spurs were already down to ten men during the encounter.
Because of these concerns, some fans and former players believe appointing Carrick permanently would be a “grievous mistake,” arguing that it could allow the club to slip back into the same problems that have affected the team in recent seasons.
However, Softfootball understands that much of the criticism intensified after United’s first defeat under Carrick, the 2:1 loss to Newcastle on Wednesday, 4 March 2026. Despite the criticism, some observers acknowledge that certain points are valid, particularly the concern about United’s slow starts in recent matches.
