Pressure Mounts on Carrick
Manchester United are reaching 40 years since appointing Sir Alex Ferguson in November 1986. That was the last time the club made a successful long term managerial choice. Now, current manager Michael Carrick is fighting to keep his job.
The team has won just one Premier League match all season and sits one place above the relegation zone. Carrick signed a two year contract in May after guiding the club to a third place finish and Champions League qualification as interim boss. However, United are now on a nine game winless run. Carrick is expected to lead the team against AS Roma and Aston Villa, but a dismissal could happen before the upcoming trip to Liverpool on November 22.
A History of Missed Targets
Since Ferguson retired in 2013 after winning 28 major trophies, United have hired seven permanent managers. None of these appointments have led to a Premier League or Champions League title. The board has repeatedly failed to secure its primary choices.
David Moyes was hired in 2013, but he was actually the seventh choice on the list. United made failed approaches for Pep Guardiola, José Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Jürgen Klopp, Diego Simeone and Laurent Blanc before picking Moyes. Klopp later rejected executive vice chairman Ed Woodward after comparing United to an adult version of Disneyland. United then turned to Louis van Gaal after missing out on Simeone again.
Cost Concerns and Short Term Fixes
United hired Mourinho in 2016 to match Manchester City appointing Guardiola, even though senior figures wanted Mauricio Pochettino. Mourinho won two trophies and had a 58 percent win rate. When he left, United picked Ole Gunnar Solskjær instead of paying compensation for Pochettino.
In 2022, Erik ten Hag was chosen over Pochettino because Pochettino would have cost an eight figure buyout from Paris Saint Germain. Ten Hag won two trophies before his exit in October 2024. Ruben Amorim replaced him but managed a win rate of just 38 percent before being sacked in January. Carrick took over as interim boss and earned the permanent job, becoming the latest inexperienced manager to take charge during a chaotic decade for the club.
Read next
- Football predictions today
- Jackpot predictions this week
- Premier League and every other league
- Premier League official website
Good to know: We are not paid for any link on this page.
Be the first to comment
Tell us who you think wins and why. Keep it friendly. Links are removed on their own.
Note: comments are the writer own opinion, not ours, and never a tip from us.
18+Read this before you bet
- There are no sure bets. Every tip on this page is a chance worked out from data about the next game. A tip at 70 percent still loses about three times in ten. Anyone selling a sure bet or a fixed match is lying.
- Betting is not income. Never bet to pay rent, school fees or a loan, and never borrow to bet, including from mobile loan apps.
- 18 and over only. Betting under 18 is illegal in Kenya.
- Use licensed bookmakers. Only bet with operators licensed by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya. Prices here can change before you bet, so check them first.
- Gambling can be addictive. If it stops being fun, stop. Read our responsible betting page or visit Responsible Gaming Federation of Kenya.
Good to know: We are not a bookmaker and we do not take bets. Full details are in our disclaimer.
