Manchester United have entered crisis mode after a worrying start to the season under Michael Carrick.
Fulham v Manchester United - Premier League 2026/27
Michael Carrick is under pressure for the first time as Manchester United boss. (Image: Getty)
Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Fulham ensured that they headed into the international break with five points from five games, equalling their worst-ever start to a Premier League season. And the onus is on Michael Carrick to provide a solution to the growing discontent at Old Trafford.
Gary Neville damningly claimed that the start to the second half at Craven Cottage was the worst 15 minutes he has ever seen United perform since he started watching, aged five. Neville is now 51. But the pundit was steadfast in his opinion, which many fans backed up with their own scathing verdicts. Carrick has to take action, and our Express Sport writers have offered their insights into the steps needed to fix United and return the club to the top end of the table...
Sacking Michael Carrick isn’t the answer. United’s rotating carousel of managers has failed to yield success and it’s time to be patient with a man who has already proven he can finish inside the top three.
But Carrick can’t ignore the warning signs, even if outwardly he is defending his players. It’s an admirable approach.
For so long, United’s ‘attack, attack, attack’ mantra has delivered. But they must now abandon that philosophy - at least in the short term.
United have been too easy to play against this season. Gary Neville highlighted a lack of work ethic but the quality isn’t there either.
Carrick didn’t get a single defensive addition over the summer and has been let down. At least one needs to arrive in January.
The Mainoo and Tielemans pivot looks good on the ball, but neither are particularly adept without it. One of Carlos Baleba or Andrey Santos must play every game until the end of the season to help address issues at the back.
On the face of it, Carrick’s back four of Shaw-Martinez-Maguire-Dalot is his strongest on paper. He must hold crisis talks with those defenders and also promise that the team in front of them will work tirelessly to protect them too.
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It's Groundhog Day again at Old Trafford. No matter who is in charge, the same problems remain for United, meaning there's little point in chopping and changing managers. For that reason, I'd like to see Michael Carrick given until at least January, unless things get drastically worse between now and then.
Bringing in yet another new name won't be a magic solution to United's problems. Instead, it seems to be a cultural thing. Carrick needs to instil a winning mentality and ensure his players are calm enough to make the right decisions, rather than panicking and overthinking in key moments, although that is easier said than done.
There are also a couple of tactical tweaks that could help. The existing midfield partnership of Youri Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo isn't working. United need a destroyer like Carlos Baleba in the engine room, and integrating him into the side as quickly as possible would be a step in the right direction.
Their collective pressing also needs work. It looks disjointed at times, almost like the defenders, midfielders and forwards aren't on the same page. United tend to work better as a counter-attacking side, rather than a team that thrives when dominating possession. They should play to their strengths by employing a more aggressive and better structured press to spring counters and create more openings for their talented forwards.
Fulham v Manchester United - Premier League 2026/27
Manchester United's defenders were criticised after drawing with Fulham. (Image: Getty)
Manchester United are the football equivalent of Kendall Roy from Succession. They believe the genius workings of a passionate Scotsman have given them a divine right to success until the end of time. The truth is, there is no fix for United, because this is who they are.
Football is cyclical, and one day they might return to the top, but it's time for those involved with the club to recognise their position in the food chain. No amount of managerial changes or player transfers will return the so-called glory days back to Old Trafford.
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