04 Jun 2026 18:52:00
Question really aimed at the people who are not convinced by Carrick but for all to answer.
What does Michael Carrick need to do to fully win you over as manager? And if United were to win the league playing a pragmatic, results-first style similar to Arsenal's title-winning approach, would you be satisfied with that, or is the style of football more important than the success? I'm just wondering what the line is for whether he is viewed as the correct decision for fans?
04 Jun 2026 19:14:59
Ports, imo, he has to keep doing what he has been doing. Winning football matches and improving players.
He is on a very steep learning curve. He has done as well as he possibly could have up to now, imo. With the players he has had at his disposal.
He has earned his opportunity.
I honestly think it could go either way for him. He will have an improved squad to work with.
He has had the media behind him so far; how he will cope with the bumps in the road ahead is unknown.
I think we will know after a dozen games next season in the league what our style of play is and will be.
We were counter attacking a lot, but it can be argued that suited the players we had.
With better midfielders available, that will change, I'm sure.
We were nothing like Arsenal, and we played some good stuff in games at times.
I'm not sitting on the fence; I'm 100% behind him and 100% hopeful. I'm just not overconfident.
He has lots to prove, and will have many questions to answer as games go by. All I do know is that he has answered every question put to him so far.
I like to go on what we do know and not what we don't; that's always a good place to start. We do know nobody won more points than United over the last 16 games. I think only 2 teams scored more goals. There is not much to complain about there.
Iraola will be who he will be judged against for many, as some believe he might have been available to United.
I'm looking forward to seeing how the season unfolds. I think it will be more open than ever.
04 Jun 2026 19:16:29
I want to see a clear and more dominant style of play. I want to see how he reacts in difficult situations, because that's the criteria sometimes. Until now, he has not had a crisis, and all was good. That, and results, need to continue being good. I think the style of play is more important than results, because if you play well, with clear patterns, results will follow anyway.
On the other hand, even if results are good, without playing good football, the form will fade sometime.
I don't think we can make an Arsenal anyway, we don't have the structure or the base. We don't have Rice, Maggalaes or Saliba.
04 Jun 2026 20:27:30
He has to show some evidence that his management and coaching results in positive impacts on the pitch.
My main issue is that our best football, under Carrick, was played during his first month in charge. Yes, we must give him credit for picking the right players and allowing them play with freedom. He did everything right to get the squad back to playing their best post-Amorim.
However, the true test of a manager's worth is measured by longer term improvements. Carrick hasn't shown this.
As the season progressed, the level of performances didn't really improve, even if the results were, broadly, good.
Particularly with attacking play, there wasn't much evidence of Carrick's impact. It often felt like the primary strategy was to give the ball to Bruno and hope that he creates something. In games when this wasn't working (Leeds and Sunderland, for example), there didn't appear to be any plan B, and, in general, Carrick seems slow to react when the opposition is controlling things.
04 Jun 2026 23:29:18
I think who he signs will be the biggest factor in determining how he does. If he gets a centre back, another midfielder and a centre forward, all of his choice and of high quality, he has a good chance to succeed.
He was a top player and I believe he wants to play attacking, flowing football, replicating the Fergie years.
He knows the supporters don't want boring football. I will forgive his relative lack of managerial experience and some bad results if I can see a clear plan which looks like it will bring long term results. We have to back him and give him the confidence to succeed.
05 Jun 2026 07:02:34
1. Clear style that is modern in approach, that brings good, winning, controlling, attacking, attractive football. Counter attack is not good enough. 2. Must demonstrate greater tactical sense, more dominant approach. Better use of width. Better control of midfield.
3. Better integration of youth. His handling of Heaven was very poor last year. Even in the last couple of games, he didn't really give any chances to youth.
4. Improved in-game management. His substitutions were not well timed and lacked verve at times. He seemed indecisive to change things tactically at times.
5. Finish no lower than third, must challenge the top two properly.
6. Win something.
Maybe I can then concede he should get a second season. I hope he does all the above because, whilst I feel he was the wrong choice, I want him to succeed, because the club succeeds.
05 Jun 2026 07:35:42
Win s***.
05 Jun 2026 08:12:59
1. Performances that match the results we have had - there has been too much luck for me so far.
2. Evidence of a plan B - in the games where we stuttered, Carrick was too slow and lacked invention to change the game.
05 Jun 2026 08:19:06
Wow, Red Man, I take that as you saying you've decided that Carrick shouldn't have the job and will not be changing that view.
I'd argue maybe only Pep achieved those 6 things last season, and even then there's a question mark over his use of youth players. Arteta (who I can't stand) won the league and only ticks a couple of those things off the list.
For what it's worth, I think we have to accept that there will be bumps in the road.
Qualifying for the Champions League again, good cup runs, and actually looking like a team that understands what Manchester United is actually about will be enough for me next season. Ideally, winning something is the aim, but realistically there are only 4 competitions and I think we all agree that there are teams in a much better condition than we are at the moment.
05 Jun 2026 10:09:42
Having a good start is crucial, not only for team confidence, but also for his own. If not, then the snipers will start shooting, the back stabbers will be out, ie the press/media are in waiting to slaughter him.
Results are the main factor, style will come with confidence, and to be up and ready is a must.
For him to have a chance, then this transfer window is huge. We need a much deeper squad, we need players stepping up, and if not in the team, then knocking and really pushing to be in the team.
If we have that good start and there becomes a buzz around how we do, then it could be a very good season for Carrick and the fans. A poor, slow start and we maybe start talking about what could and should have been, and the 'I told you so' gang will be in full swing.
05 Jun 2026 10:32:37
I think we need to see a team that plays well. We've seen it in patches, but we've also seen some very poor performances, despite the good results. Carrick apparently wants to play fast attacking football, which would be good to see.
He keeps finding ways to win, which is always useful. I'm hoping he uses more players next season as the squad is strengthened, and we have more games to manage.
I'd also like to see a bit more oomph from Carrick. I welcome the calmness and lack of drama, but he needs to get passionate sometimes.
We need to solidify what we achieved this year, whilst going further in the cup competitions, and we need to not lose to Grimsby.
05 Jun 2026 10:39:48
AA80,
What has changed, apart from his appointment, since I said clearly that I didn't believe Carrick had the qualifications to be United manager?
The OP question was, what would convince me, and I set that out. This is Manchester United. Why would I say 5th is ok? That answer would only be if I was previously comfortable with an ex player being put in charge because he was an ex player.
He has to show he is of the calibre to be the man, for example people said 2nd wasn't good enough for Jose. Carrick has it all to prove, hope he does but suspect it will be difficult given his experience. We shall see.
05 Jun 2026 12:59:19
All he has to do is get them playing like they did against the Bertie's at home. Simple.
05 Jun 2026 15:18:36
I've been very critical of Arsenal this season when it comes to the way they play, but ultimately, they won the league and made it to the Champions League final, in which they narrowly missed out on the trophy. I'm going to go ahead and assume that most of their fans are happy.
In an ideal world, we'd win trophies playing attractive football, but if we win a few playing Arsenal-style anti-football, I'm sure most of us (including myself) wouldn't be complaining, assuming the plan was to transition into a less pragmatic style over the next few windows.
The issue comes if we play terrible football and still win nothing.
05 Jun 2026 17:02:58
Win the treble.
05 Jun 2026 18:01:10
Redman: "Shoot cannon balls from his arse and lasers from his eye balls. Maybe then I will consider giving him a second season."
Tough man to please.