Manchester United have made their worst start to a league season in 40 years, and Michael Carrick is now already fighting for his future as the club's head coach
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick during a training session at Carrington
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick faces a difficult run of fixtures(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
View 2 Images
Michael Carrick already faces an uncertain future as Manchester United head coach after overseeing the club's worst start to a league season in 40 years.
United are 13th in the Premier League table after earning six points from their opening six matches. They currently find themselves as close to the relegation zone as they are to the top half, having drawn half of their league games.
Their lone win in the Premier League was six weeks ago, a contest in which they were behind against Ipswich Town at Old Trafford. United's run of fixtures does not get any easier, either.
READ MORE: JJ Gabriel set to leave Man United in January as one club 'believe deal is all secured'
Azerbaijan Premier League champions Sabah are the only other team that United have beaten. Carrick and Co return to Champions League action this week with an away game against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
Diego Simeone's side have won all four of their La Liga matches since being beaten by Liverpool at Anfield in their league-phase opener. One of those was a 2-1 win over city rivals Real Madrid, who they are a point ahead of in the table, only behind Barcelona.
Atletico reached the semi-finals of this competition last season. United have not progressed that far for 15 years now.
The second of three consecutive away matches is against Leeds United. Until last weekend, they were unbeaten in the Premier League and took the lead against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium before losing.
Como will follow that clash for Carrick, who won their Champions League opener 4-1 against RB Leipzig. Cesc Fabregas' side have not lost at home since mid-April, despite sitting seventh in Serie A this season.
After returning from Italy, a return to Old Trafford sees United welcome Bournemouth. The Cherries come off the back of three home games, the last of which is against Milan in the Europa League.
*FOLLOW OUR MAN UNITED FB PAGE!Latest news and analysis via the MEN’s Manchester United Facebook page*
Michael Carrick boarding an aeroplane
Michael Carrick has a tough fixtures schedule to turnaround Manchester United's season(Image: 2026 Manchester United FC)
View 2 Images
A rare free midweek this autumn comes before United face free-scoring Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have won all but one of their home matches this season, with 19 goals to their name across those five fixtures.
United begin November with back-to-back home games, with an unbeaten Roma side being their first opponents. Aston Villa are their final visitors before the November international break and have fared better on their travels thus far.
A trip to Anfield is United's last match of these eight. Liverpool have already beaten Atletico at home this season, with Arsenal and Chelsea to come.