Photo by Zohaib Alam - MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Zohaib Alam - MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images
Ineos are catching a lot of flak for their transfer window stance in 2026, but they are clearly following the Arsenal blueprint, with one test remaining.
Having signed just three first-team players in the window after securing UCL football, Michael Carrick has faltered to start the season.
Four points from four games was not on anybody’s list of expectations after the previous season, and Ineos’ reputation is taking a hit.
However, their template is clear, and if followed correctly, could set them on the path Arsenal have taken. Their stance on Carrick is the final test.
Manchester United v Manchester City - Premier League 2026/27
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
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Ineos following Arsenal’s template for Man Utd
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are hardly the most likeable team around, but the Spaniard deserves credit for turning that club around.
It is easy to forget the slump they found themselves in after Unai Emery’s sacking, and even Arteta had them finishing eighth in his first full season.
However, the playing style evolved, the squad evolved, the culture evolved, and the manager evolved as well during those “banter times” when there was no trophy.
Much like United, Arsenal didn’t have state-backed ownership to transform their whole squad in one window and challenge for the title.
First, they got rid of problematic dressing room characters, then they prioritised each area of the pitch in each window to create a reformed XI.
The team today is unrecognisable from the one Arteta took over, or even managed in his first full season.
Ineos have done the same by getting rid of who they thought weren’t the right characters, buying only model professionals who want to play for the club, and taking a surgical approach to squad building.
Attack was overhauled last summer, and the midfield got attention this time, with the defence up next.
One can argue that this rebuild has been done in reverse, but the surgical approach is crystal clear.
This could position United for a title challenge in a few years, just like Arsenal, only if they pass the one test Arsenal did with flying colours.
Ineos need to back Michael Carrick unequivocally
It’s not a popular opinion right now to back Carrick to turn this around, but Arsenal found themselves in a similar position under Arteta.
Avram Glazer, co-owner of Manchester United, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, Omar Berrada, chief-executive officer of Manchester United, and Jason Wilcox, director of football at Manchester United, watch on during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on September 13, 2026 in Manchester, England.
Avram Glazer, co-owner of Manchester United, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, Omar Berrada, chief-executive officer of Manchester United, and Jason Wilcox, director of football at Manchester United, watch on during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on September 13, 2026 in Manchester, England.
Through thick and thin, the Arsenal management were convinced that the results would eventually arrive, because what was happening behind the scenes was perfect.
If Ineos think the same about Carrick, then they must look at the big picture and stick with him.
To put things into perspective, Everton’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles will never score that goal again in his life, and that farcical offside call at least saves a point for United.
If anything, even Hull City have shown since the United result that they are no pushovers. Had the Everton and City results gone as per plan, United would be on seven points right now instead of four.
Those margins matter a lot, so Ineos need to trust the process behind the scenes, instead of making each game a do-or-die scenario for Carrick.
Arteta would have been sacked by Arsenal long ago if that were the case.