Manchester United have suffered defeat under Michael Carrick for the first time.
On a tough night at St. James’ Park, Manchester United were made to pay for a series of missed chances when William Osula scored a 90th minute winner.
It means Michael Carrick tastes defeat for the first time as head coach. United remain in third position in the Premier League after Aston Villa lost to Chelsea.
Now following on from our player ratings and five things we learned from the game, we are turning focus towards Manchester United supporters.
For the past six weeks we have been living in a bubble with Manchester United unbeaten for seven matches. Now the bubble has popped.
Man Utd have lost 2-1 to Newcastle – What went wrong?
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Michael Carrick instructs his players during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St James’ Park in 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
How accountable do we hold Michael Carrick for the loss?
Michael Carrick’s short-term head coach role has turned into an audition for him to land the job on a permanent basis. And on that basis, surely he should be judged like any other manager.
Carrick’s game management in previous matches has been strong. It was questionable against Newcastle.
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Casemiro was taken off after an hour for Manuel Ugarte, a move that always invites danger. Tyrell Malacia was thrown on for his first game in weeks, and was partly at fault for the winning goal.
Should Carrick have brought on young talent Godwill Kukonki instead? Previous managers have been heavily criticised for failing to put faith in young players.
Ruben Amorim was criticised for failing to beat 10 man Everton. United played against 10 man Newcastle for 45 minutes.
As a fanbase, we should not be hyper-critical of Carrick in a knee-jerk sense, this is just one defeat. But we should not treat him with ‘kid gloves’ either. We have to get that balance right. This was a winnable game.
If Carrick wants the job, he has to show he can get these decisions right, and learn from his mistakes, and be subject to scrutiny.
Is it fair to blame Tyrell Malacia for Newcastle’s winning goal?
Everton v Manchester United - Premier League
Photo by MB Media/Getty Images
Do we just accept that defeat was inevitable at some stage?
Manchester United have not won away at Newcastle since 2020/21. This was a great opportunity to put that right. But this is always a difficult fixture.
Michael Carrick’s overall record is one defeat in eight games in 2026. That’s a strong set of results overall.
If we were told Carrick would win six, draw one and lose one of his opening eight games, we would have taken it.
So do we just accept that a loss was always likely at some stage, accept it and move on?
The next fixture at home to Aston Villa is huge. United have home advantage, and a victory will put us back on track.
After a first defeat, how are you feeling about Michael Carrick for the Man Utd job permanently?
Newcastle United v Manchester United - Premier League
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Where does this loss fit into the overall ‘next manager’ narrative?
There is more at play here than just the 2025/26 season. Michael Carrick and his staff are trying to get the job on a full-time basis.
There is a concern that reality is beginning to set in after the highs of the first few weeks.
In recent matches against West Ham, Everton and Crystal Palace, United have not played well. Instead we have been grinding out results.
That is a good trait to have, but eventually it catches up with you.
So where does that leave the fanbase? Do we want Michael Carrick as head coach unconditionally based on what we have already seen?
Are the concerns enough to make supporters ‘check out’ already and decide a ‘big name’ must get the job instead?
Or does the balanced ‘wait and see’ approach prevail where we assess how the team respond against Villa, and in the vital games to come against Chelsea and Liverpool before the end of the season?
United are in a strong position in the Champions League qualification race at present. It would have been a commanding one if we beat Newcastle.
But there’s still plenty that can go wrong. If defeats become regular and United slide out of the top five, Carrick won’t get the job.
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