Thierry Henry Compares Michael Carrick To Arsene Wenger As "Toxic" Claim Made
Arsenal and Premier League legend Thierry Henry recently provided Michael Carrick with some support in the form of comparing Manchester United's current struggles to when the great Arsene Wenger was in charge of Arsenal.
Is Carrick to blame for United's Current Situation?
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Michael Carrick has been the talk of the town in the Premier League lately. After failing to win a game in his last nine matches in charge, many thought it was a guarantee that Manchester United would sack Michael Carrick.
However, this shocking streak, part of United's worst Premier League start ever, was broken by an incredible comeback as the Red Devils defeated AS Roma 3-2 on Tuesday night.
It seemed like de ja vu for United, as despite starting the match OK, they still found themselves 2-0 down after just 18 minutes. However, in the second half, the game was turned on its head by Matheus Cunha.
Just before the hour mark, Cunha was taken down in the box for a penalty, which was missed on the first attempt by Bruno Fernandes, but then scored after VAR awarded a re-take.
In the 83rd minute, Cunha latched onto a hopeful cross to find the equaliser, and three minutes later, he lashed in the winner. He walked off the field with a red card for his troubles and will therefore miss the match, but what a night he had, and what a huge result for the under-pressure Michael Carrick.
Carrick's Manchester United currently sit 17th in the Champions League and the Premier League, and with constant news around the board eyeing up replacement options, the next match against Aston Villa could be vital for the future of Carrick.
Thierry Henry's comments on Carrick
Speaking on CBS, Thierry Henry shared his thoughts on what Michael Carrick is going through right now as Manchester United manager, and the parallels between United now and Arsenal in the past.
“If you go back to the last years of Arsène Wenger, Unai Emery and the beginning of Mikel Arteta, it was a tiny bit toxic. The fans were going amongst each other, asking who the coach should be, who should come and go, having a go at the owners.
“It’s a bit like what’s happening with United now. Surely, along the way, all the coaches they’ve had could have been the answer? Did they give enough time to that one, you don’t know who it could have been?
“You have guys that are strict, not strict, experienced, not experienced, club legends… it didn’t work.
“You’re telling me that none of those coaches could have turned it around? Were they given time to turn it around? Arteta at times didn’t have great runs in the league; didn’t finish where Arsenal are supposed to finish. They kept him.
“Now everyone is saying he’s a great coach. If he didn’t have the time to show that he was a good coach, we would have said that he was inexperienced, couldn’t handle it and couldn’t win.”
Henry's comments do raise a very good question: Does Carrick need time, or is he simply just not good enough? Henry clearly suggests that he may have the capabilities to succeed at United.
Rio Ferdinand believes Matheus Cunha's performance against AS Roma could be the performance that helps propel him to his best form.roundtable.ioRio Ferdinand Backs 'Hugely Talented' Man Utd Star To 'Catch Fire' After Performance vs Roma
Rio Ferdinand believes Matheus Cunha's performance against AS Roma could be the performance that helps propel him to his best form.
Is Carrick the right man for United?
It is clear to everyone that Manchester United have tried every type of manager to get themselves back to the level that they once were at. Experts, club legends, young managers, and all have failed. But where does Carrick sit amongst his predecessors?
Carrick had a phenomenal season last season, earning the most points in the league since his first game in charge; however, the tide has turned drastically the other way this season, as his team is currently hovering above the relegation zone.
A clear lack of squad fitness and any sign of a style of play have led many to believe that he simply is not good enough as a manager.
However, many people have pinned these bad performances on the players, who have supposedly downed tools and stopped playing for the manager. This would make perfect sense, as they look completely different to the way they played last year, despite looking like a better team on paper.
With the Premier League arguably being the most competitive it has ever been, it is hard to guarantee points in any fixture, meaning that, with the way United are playing, there is every chance that the unthinkable happens and they do get relegated. Therefore, the club will be much more inclined to make a change in manager to rescue the season.
With the likes of Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann, and Antonio Conte being out of a job, Carrick is not out of the woods just yet, despite the win against Roma.
However, going back to Henry's points, is it really Carrick's fault? He has suffered major injuries to key players such as Benjamin Sesko, Luke Shaw, and Carlos Baleba again, which have hugely hindered the team's progression.
Furthermore, Carrick was back very poorly in the summer transfer window, while fans were crying out for a striker and some fullbacks, who would have filled in for Shaw and Sesko, the board remained reluctant to buy.
Carrick still has a lot to prove despite all of the hindrances that he faces, but the question of whether United should stick with him or twist with him will remain a huge talking point for this season.