Manchester United v AS Roma - UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD4 - Source: Getty
Manchester United v AS Roma - UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD4 - Source: Getty
Frank Leboeuf has claimed there is “reason to panic” at Manchester United and warned that the club could be relegated this season, with Michael Carrick’s side sitting in the Premier League’s bottom three.
United dropped to 18th on Saturday without kicking a ball, because Nottingham Forest beat Manchester City 3-1 at the City Ground. It is the first time they have sat in the bottom three for nine games or more into a league season since November 1986, and they are two points from safety. Only a win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford will send them into the international break outside the relegation zone.
Speaking on ESPN FC, the former Chelsea and France defender said (via Metro UK):
“It’s been a while since you had to panic because we saw the games that they had. There is reason to panic and it’s been like that for a while.”
He also turned on the players:
“You can’t get rid of those players who don’t deserve to play for Manchester United, who aren’t good enough for Manchester United. They don’t have the guts, the courage, the pride of fighting for the club.”
He then added:
“Again, I’m all for Michael Carrick. But there is a time when there will be no other choices but getting rid of him. I don’t see any solution, I don’t see anything getting good and if they carry on like that you could see Manchester United getting relegated which is amazing.”
Carrick, 45, kept his job after the 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth a fortnight ago, with reports saying his position will be reviewed over the international break if his side fail to beat Villa.
Manchester United’s form this season under Michael Carrick
The league numbers explain the panic. Manchester United have seven points from nine games, one win, four draws and four defeats, and they have not kept a clean sheet all season, conceding 15 goals. A 2-0 defeat by Chelsea on October 31 was their fourth league loss of the campaign.
Carrick said after the Chelsea defeat that being in the relegation zone would carry no stigma for him (via TNT Sports):
“We’ve got to keep moving forward and winning games, simple as that.”
The bright spot is Europe: the 3-2 win over Roma on Tuesday, from two goals down at half-time, ended a nine-game run without a victory in all competitions.
Up next for the Red Devils after Villa is a trip to Liverpool on November 22, then a home game against Brentford on November 28.