For the third October in a row under INEOS, it feels as though Manchester United have entered another period of chaos under a third permanent manager. 

Erik Ten Hag was sacked in October 2024 after signing a contract extension; the pressure was ramping up on Ruben Amorim before he was sacked in January this year, and now Michael Carrick faces uncertainty. 

After losing 2-0 to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, the club are not only five games in a row without a win but also have only two wins all season in all competitions. 

With Leeds United next in the league and Como next in the Champions League, the games do not get any easier for Carrick. 

INEOS will believe they have tried to give managers time during their reign after keeping Ten Hag after winning the FA Cup, not immediately sacking Amorim after finishing 15th. However, with Manchester United potentially going to have a 4th permanent manager during their tenure, it is hard to believe they have much patience. 

Of course, any manager who has only two wins in nine games all season will be under serious pressure, so it is no surprise to see Carrick under immense scrutiny as of now. But the manner of defeats being similar to the poor defeats before Amorim's departure has certainly put his future in the balance. 

However, David Ornstein has revealed the stance INEOS currently have about Carrick's near future. 

Ornstein reported in The Athletic: “I don’t know of any desire to get rid of Carrick. On the contrary, they are right behind him and want him to succeed. But you’re right behind somebody at any club until you’re not. And there will be concern about the results and certainly the performances.

“A massive game at the weekend where Carrick will hope to deliver. And I do think the goodwill gives him time and faith. But at a club of this stature, if you don’t deliver, you’ll pay the price.”

It must be said that Carrick must take some of the blame for the start to the season with the constant tactical errors shown week in week out. It does appear that as of now he seems to be out of his depth. 

However, this is another example of INEOS dropping the ball at Manchester United. Despite the success of last season, it was widely known that Carrick at this juncture is still a young and inexperienced manager with a lot of promise. 

Given the inexperience, he needs to be given all the tools needed to succeed in the transfer market, yet the club not only fumbled top targets, but also failed to bolster areas in the squad like in the defence and at striker. 

This alongside countless other decisions they have made from managerial sackings, sacking Dan Ashworth, sacking much of the staff at United and the timing of certain decisions just adds to the calamaty. 

Two things can be right. Michael Carrick has so far shown he is beginning to be out of his depth but also he was not given the full-backing in the summer to give him the best possible chance of succeeding this season.