Carrick may have saved United job with Roma win

Michael Carrick may have saved his Manchester United job after they overturned a 2‑0 deficit to beat Roma 3‑2 in the Champions League. For the first time since early September, Man United fans and Utd supporters can celebrate a win and the result may have secured Carrick’s position, for now.

Parallels with past rescues

There are parallels between the two. Four other times United managers were given a stay of execution by a single result. It is the example that gets brought up whenever a current Manchester United manager is struggling. Sir Alex Ferguson was three years into his Manchester United tenure and things were not going well.

A second‑place finish was sandwiched between two 11th‑place finishes and the club ended the 1989‑90 season in 13th, prompting a consensus that Ferguson was not long for the sack. That season also saw United lose 5‑1 away at their noisy neighbours. In December a banner reading “3 Years Of Excuses And It’s Still Crap. Ta Ra Fergie” was unfurled as calls for his dismissal grew.

The FA Cup rescued the future great when United travelled to Nottingham Forest in the third round, hoping an extended cup run might distract Old Trafford supporters from poor league form. Forest, managed by Brian Clough, were a fading giant but still a club that had won two European Cups within recent memory. Ferguson gambled by selecting 20‑year‑old striker Mark Robins. Robins grabbed the only goal of the game to send United through.

United went on to win the tournament, giving Ferguson much‑needed breathing room. That goal kick‑started an era that would see every major trophy arrive at Old Trafford. United finished sixth the following season. The year after they were second before winning the inaugural Premier League title in 1993.

Recent comeback stories

Carrick’s success is not the first time United have overturned a 2‑0 deficit in Europe to save a manager’s job. United began the 2021‑22 season poorly under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, having been knocked out of the League Cup, beaten by Young Boys in the Champions League, and suffering a 4‑2 loss to Leicester after winning just one of their previous five games. Boos rang out at Old Trafford after a 1‑1 draw at Everton, showing the usually patient home fans had turned on their 1999 hero.

Solskjaer’s P45 was practically being written up when United trailed Atalanta 2‑0 after half an hour. A second‑half comeback finished off by Cristiano Ronaldo gave Solskjaer a stay of execution, if only for a little while. United then lost the next game 5‑0 to Liverpool but persevered with Solskjaer, who guided them to a second‑place finish. He was sacked after a 4‑1 defeat at Watford in November.

Ten Hag’s FA Cup lifeline

By all reports United were ready to sack Erik ten Hag that evening before he unexpectedly beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final. United entered the match as rank outsiders against Pep Guardiola’s City, who had just secured their fourth consecutive Premier League title, yet saved their season’s performance for the final. Alejandro Garnacho opened the scoring on the half‑hour mark and Kobbie Mainoo made it two nine minutes later. Ten Hag out‑thought Guardiola, allowing City possession before counter‑attacking at pace.

Jeremy Doku scored a reply but it was insufficient to prevent United winning their 13th FA Cup. Many hoped the moment would parallel Ferguson and change United’s fortunes, but it did not. Ten Hag had finished eighth with United, yet widespread reports of his dismissal undermined any credibility the Dutchman had at the club. He had also approved some of the worst signings in United history, notably the £86 million paid to Ajax for Antony.

Ten Hag was eventually sacked in October, just five months after the FA Cup win, and delaying the decision cost United even more. Ruben Amorim, a manager with a completely different system, was brought in mid‑season and never recovered.

A League Cup exit at the hands of Derby County and a 3‑1 defeat to West Ham put José Mourinho on the brink at United. It was typical late‑stage Mourinho, with a fallout with several players, most notably Paul Pogba, and a cloud of toxicity suffocating the club. When United went 2‑0 down inside the opening ten minutes against Newcastle at home, the situation looked dire. Juan Mata, the much‑maligned player under Mourinho at two successive clubs, curled in a free kick twenty minutes before time.

Anthony Martial equalised in the 76th minute. Alexis Sanchez then scored a dramatic late winner to complete the comeback. Fans cheered Mourinho’s name, but it only delayed the end rather than stopping it outright.