Photo by Tiego Grenho/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Tiego Grenho/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
It’s not a good sign when questions are being asked of the manager in September. Michael Carrick has a lot to prove at Manchester United following the extended international break.
Manchester United have endured a disappointing start to the 2026/27 season. Struggling for wins and already knocked out of the Carabao Cup, Michael Carrick’s side faces an uphill climb, trailing Premier League leaders Man City by 10 points.
This United side isn’t expected to win the Premier League, though. That doesn’t excuse the performances and results we’ve witnessed so far this season. United didn’t truly get going until Carrick arrived last season, which means there is time to turn things around.
Better results will help lift the mood at Old Trafford. Here are the biggest positives and negatives from United’s season so far.
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Positives
Sadly, there are more negatives than positives, but that won’t come as a surprise with United sitting in 12th place with five points after as many Premier League matches.
Kobbie Mainoo: During United’s poor initial run of results, the 21-year-old has been a silver lining for the Reds, with standout performances in most matches. Mainoo is showing why he is one of the first names on the team sheet, while Carrick has yet to settle on a winning formula in midfield.
Shea Lacey’s display against Brighton:United lost 3-2 to Brighton after throwing away a two-goal lead after 10 minutes. There was only one real positive at Old Trafford that night, as Lacey scored the opening goal after being handed his first start under Carrick.
Man Utd’s rivals are struggling too: Arsenal and Man City may form a two-horse race for the Premier League title, but there will be plenty of competition for the European spots. Chelsea are winless in three, Liverpool have drawn three of their first five, and teams like Leeds and Hull City will drop down the table.
Players returning from injury: It cannot be denied that United have missed Amad Diallo, missing with an injury since the start of the season. Matthijs de Ligt will also be closer to returning.
🤕 Manchester United’s injured players
Matthijs de Ligt
Amad Diallo
Benjamin Sesko
Manuel Ugarte
Tom Heaton
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Negatives
Finally, the negatives. There’s no shortage of those at United right now.
Results: With two wins in seven matches, the results so far this season haven’t been good enough. It must change after the international break. Otherwise, the pressure will become too much for Carrick, and it will be a hard watch for those who have the utmost admiration for the former United midfielder.
No luck: No team has hit the woodwork more times (6) than United. On top of that, Pro Ref apologised after admitting Erling Haaland’s winner in the Manchester derby shouldn’t have stood. You need some luck in football, and United haven’t had any yet.
Fan relations at an all-time low: United’s ticket ban fiasco has left many genuine season ticket holders feeling anxious and unwanted by the club owners. There has been no apology, and now serious questions are being asked of Ineos. Like, have they had a worse impact on fan relations than the Glazers, whose takeover led to the formation of FC United of Manchester?
Michael Carrick looked defeated after Carabao Cup blow: It was difficult seeing Carrick – almost reduced to tears – try to analyse United’s defeat to Brighton after crashing out of the cup. He looked like a completely different figure from the interim head coach of last season. The team failed to bounce back by drawing 1-1 against Fulham on Sunday.
Defending: The concerns with United’s defence existed in the summer, but there’s no getting away from how bad our defenders have performed. It’s a weakness every team in the league will be looking to exploit.
Benjamin Sesko injury: It hasn’t helped that United have been without a recognised centre-forward for most of the season. Sesko’s ankle injury has prevented the Slovenian from starting a single league match. His latest injury setback comes as a major blow because it’s further proof that United were not well equipped before the new campaign kicked off.