Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.
Erik ten Hag believes sacking Michael Carrick “is not the solution” for Manchester United’s current struggles.
The Red Devils have faltered under Carrick to start the 2026-27 season, with just two wins in 10 games across all competitions (D4 L4).
United have won only one of their seven Premier League matches this season (D4 L2), their fewest number of victories at this stage of a top-flight campaign since 1986-87 – also one victory after seven games.
They sit 13th in the Premier League ahead of a Champions League trip to Como, with the Red Devils beating Sabah in their opening game but then losing to Atletico Madrid last week.
However, Ten Hag, who was sacked by United in 2024, has urged the club to give Carrick time at the helm.
“It is not the solution to dismiss him. 100% not,” Ten Hag told The Athletic about Carrick.
“Fans will demand this if results don’t improve – it is coming out from the stomach, from the emotion. You have to make rational decisions.
“He showed good coaching abilities at Middlesbrough and last season. So let him do his process. I think he has a good staff.”
“I spoke to the players this morning about the history of the game and what it means.” Michael reflects on his team handling a tough atmosphere
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 18, 2026
Ten Hag won the EFL Cup and FA Cup during his time at Old Trafford, but the Dutchman claimed United failed to honour agreements on their transfer strategy.
He pointed to the example of Scott McTominay, who left United to join Napoli in the 2024 summer transfer window.
McTominay, who came through United’s youth system, made 255 appearances for the club, scoring 29 goals and providing eight assists.
“In Ibiza [during a board meeting], we agreed. I said, ‘No selling Scott McTominay’. We would go aligned in the transfer window,” added Ten Hag, who had a short-lived spell as Bayer Leverkusen boss last term.
“I made an argument, a reason: we don’t have scoring abilities. Scott brings scoring abilities and great mentality. He has United in all his veins.
“So when they bring up the subject, ‘No’. And in the end, they sold him. I got, of course, very embarrassed and disappointed.”
McTominay has been a hit at Napoli, scoring 27 goals and laying on seven assists in 85 games.
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