Is there a way out for Manchester United after their nightmare start?

With a thrashing in the Champions League against a young and hungry Como side, Michael Carrick’s grip on control at Manchester United has slipped into a dismal mess on and off the pitch. A poor away performance compounded by irritation from his own captain in interviews, can the once renowned Manchester United hero make a last gasp attempt in rectifying his side’s errors, this time on the touchline?

Manchester United being in the centre of crisis has not been an unfamiliar sight since the glorious era led by the great Sir Alex Ferguson. However, this start to the season has overtaken any worse attempt put up by previous managers in the dugout. According to the Premier League’s league table records, since the league’s inception, the Red Devils have never logged a lower points total of seven points in eight matches, with the only win coming from a home game against Ipswich. This, combined with a poor run of form in all competitions, with the 4-1 defeat against Como and also an embarrassing collapse from a comfortable lead against Brighton in the Carabao Cup, means Michael Carrick’s reign is under extreme pressure even before the second international break, never mind Christmas.

This period of red Mancunian agony has seemed to also turn into frustration, particularly for the players in the United camp

This period of red Mancunian agony has seemed to also turn into frustration, particularly for the players in the United camp. Bruno Fernandes, in an interview after the game, displayed his displeasure with the tactics provided by Carrick, claiming that the pressing set up made by the tactical team was flawed as they had to “press man-to-man”, and that it is “on the manager and the staff to see it, it’s not on [him]”. This is the second instance of a player voicing their displeasure, after Lisandro Martinez stated his criticisms of the Manchester United recruitment in their previous match in the Champions League. Still, Manchester United fans made their feelings clear – both players and staff are to blame. In a poll run by Sky Sports, 56% of readers voted “Both!”, whilst “The players” received 30% of the vote.

It’s difficult to see any outcome other than the removal of Michael Carrick from his managerial role, which seems more and more likely to be the inevitable

It’s difficult to see any outcome other than the removal of Michael Carrick from his managerial role, which seems more and more likely to be the inevitable. Whilst this seems to be the clear choice to stop the bleeding at United, this risks a cycle of managers trying and failing, costing time and money for the club; something that has already happened for a few years now. Despite this, the squad still has a good number of high quality players. Players such as Mbuemo and Cunha have both produced double digit goals in the Premier League last season, with Fernandes coming off an extraordinary record-breaking season. The stress of extra Champions League games may be taking a toll on the players’ fitness, and a generally considered subpar transfer window didn’t help, but Carrick or a future replacement have some bright sparks to work with.

As for Michael Carrick, he needs to assert authority in the Manchester United dressing room, and then urgently work on his tactics to find a solution to this sluggish team, particularly in the physical department, with the lack of running being highlighted. It’ll certainly be difficult, maybe even impossible, for him to successfully do this before his removal from the dugout. However, the clock is ticking for Carrick’s reign. He has one shot at saving it.