Ten Hag urges Manchester United to keep faith with Carrick

Former United manager says patience is the answer

Erik ten Hag has urged Manchester United not to sack Michael Carrick, arguing that a change of manager would not resolve the club’s early-season problems.

United have won twice in their first 10 matches across all competitions in the 2026-27 season, drawing four and losing four. In the Premier League, they have managed one win from seven games, with four draws and two defeats. The club sit 13th ahead of a Champions League trip to Como.

“It is not the solution to dismiss him. 100% not,” Ten Hag told The Athletic. He said fans’ calls for a change could come from emotion, and urged the club to make a rational decision and give Carrick time. Ten Hag praised Carrick’s coaching work at Middlesbrough and last season, adding that he believed Carrick had a good staff around him.

Ten Hag revisits McTominay’s departure

Ten Hag also said United’s transfer decisions had not matched agreements he believed were made with the club’s leadership. He cited Scott McTominay’s 2024 move to Napoli, saying he had argued the midfielder should stay because United needed his goal threat and mentality.

“No selling Scott McTominay,” Ten Hag recalled telling the board during a meeting in Ibiza. He said McTominay brought “scoring abilities and great mentality” and had “United in all his veins.”

McTominay had made 255 appearances for United, scoring 29 goals and providing eight assists, before leaving for Napoli. Ten Hag said he was embarrassed and disappointed when the club went ahead with the sale. He won the EFL Cup and FA Cup during his time at Old Trafford and was dismissed by United in 2024.

United opened their Champions League campaign with a win over Sabah but lost to Atletico Madrid last week, adding to the scrutiny around Carrick’s start.