Owen Hargreaves feels that Manchester United fans have now reached the same conclusions about the 2026-27 Premier League campaign under Michael Carrick so far.
Michael Carrick has endured a turbulent start to the 2026-27 Premier League season after the club have been unable to maintain their form from the previous campaign.
Manchester United have played in 12 matches across all competitions this season and the Red Devils have won on only two occasions under Carrick so far.
The Red Devils have suffered six defeats and secured four draws, as Carrick has faced immense pressure in his first full season as the permanent United manager.
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Owen Hargreaves says Man Utd fans are becoming aware of how Michael Carrick is trying to plaster over the Red Devils’ mistakes
The Manchester United first-team squad depth has been exposed in the current campaign after Ineos’ summer spending. Michael Carrick has been forced to experiment in different roles, including playing Leny Yoro at right-back and Ayden Heaven at left-back.
Ineos focused on a major midfield rebuild in the summer and brought Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba to the Premier League club. However, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s regime was heavily criticised for not bringing another left-back or striker to the Red Devils before the summer transfer window shut in September.
Owen Hargreaves says that United fans have realised how pragmatic Carrick is being with his options after Ineos’ lack of summer signings in other key areas.
Speaking after United’s 3-0 Premier League defeat to Bournemouth at Old Trafford, he said on Premier League Productions: “Dropping his best player, punishment for his comments midweek, but this season is unravelling so quickly, it’s astonishing.”
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As per the Premier League’s official website, Hargreaves added: “The fans realise Carrick’s trying his best, but he wasn’t really backed in the summer. He’ll be the one that hurts the most.”
Carrick has been left short at left-back with Luke Shaw’s injury and must rotate his lone forward option due to the continued setbacks to United striker Benjamin Sesko. The 45-year-old United legend’s woes only continued at the weekend after the Red Devils’ winless streak rose to eight across all competitions.
Bournemouth’s comfortable win over United in Sunday’s Premier League clash only added further pressure on Carrick’s shoulders. Goals from Rayan, Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson ensured that the Cherries sealed all three Premier League points at Old Trafford.