Michael Carrick applauding at Old Trafford
Michael Carrick is facing sack pressure at Man UnitedImago

Man United ‘cannot afford’ to sack Michael Carrick

Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Transfer Correspondent AUTHORITY Former Sky Sports and ESPN FC correspondent who specialises in global recruitment, contract negotiations, and high-velocity transfer breaking news. FOCUS Exclusive reporting, domestic and international transfer markets, and elite-level insights. THE INSIGHT Pete utilises a Global Network of Industry Sources to deliver verified, first-to-market reporting. His “Deep-Lens” analysis connects the dots between boardroom strategy and pitch-level recruitment, providing a level of transfer clarity that goes beyond surface-level rumours.

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Man United's past managerial decisions mean Michael Carrick is likely to be given more time to turn things around, sources have told Football Insider.

Carrick is the third different manager to permanently take charge of United since INEOS' takeover was made official in February 2024.

Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim struggled to make their mark at Old Trafford before being sacked while under pressure from fans and pundits.

The latest under-fire manager is 45-year-old Carrick, who is not set to be sacked imminently but needs to turn their poor current form around.

As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, INEOS are keen to give him more time to stop the current cycle of sacking bosses while the team struggles.

He has ample credit in the bank with their board after such a successful spell as interim manager last season.

Michael Carrick set for Man United stay due to INEOS turnover concerns

Aside from concerns over how quickly they are going through managers, INEOS have also been forced to pay extortionate fees to Ten Hag and Amorim to relieve them of their duties.

The Dutchman and his coaching staff received a reported £15million after being sacked in October 2024, while United faced a hefty compensation bill of £16.7m to sack Amorim and his coaches in January 2026.

Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "Obviously, results dictate it, like any manager's job, but Man United have done this so many times...they’ve chopped and changed the manager and then have to start from scratch.

"I think they need to stay calm and give Carrick as much time as possible to try and put things right because they can't really afford more upheaval after numerous managerial changes over the seasons as well, so they need a bit of consolidation and will be hoping that Carrick can turn around their fortunes in the next few weeks after this international break."

Michael Carrick applauding at Old Trafford
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