Carrick told Butt he’d only return if United called
Michael Carrick confessed to Nicky Butt that he would only resume management if Manchester United came calling, a revelation that now feels damning as United languish in their worst Premier League season in four decades. The former midfielder, appointed permanently this summer after a third‑place finish in 2025/26, has overseen just one win from six league games, leaving the club 13th with six points and twelve behind leaders.
Early promise and rapid decline
United opened the campaign with a 5‑2 home victory over newly‑promoted Ipswich Town but then drew with Everton, Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur and suffered defeats to Hull City and rivals Manchester City, who played most of the match with ten men. The slump has sparked intense scrutiny of Carrick’s future, especially after a recent 1‑1 draw with Tottenham where a late equaliser by Dominic Solanke erased a stoppage‑time lead.
Butt reveals Carrick’s private condition
Speaking on The Good, The Bad and the Football Podcast, Butt recalled a conversation before Carrick accepted the United job. He said Carrick, unemployed after being sacked by Middlesbrough in 2025, told him: “It’s not for me. It’s too much and my head’s all over the shop. I’ll only do it for the big job and the big job is United.” Butt added that Carrick felt the club was different from any he had known before.
Butt also noted that former United greats such as Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Roy Keane would never turn down a call from the club, underscoring the weight of Carrick’s decision.
Manchester United hopes for De Ligt for Champions League duel with Atlético
Other voices and upcoming challenge
Former teammate Paul Scholes labelled United a “team of bottlers”, warning that the squad must win now or risk slipping further by January. He predicted a possible drop to sixth or seventh place and a struggle in the Champions League.
United’s next test arrives on Tuesday in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium.
Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff. James is a Senior Editor for GIVEMESPORT with over eight years of experience. After graduating from the University of Southampton in 2016 with a degree in history, he joined the company as an Academy member in July 2017 and, after a short freelance stint, was given a full‑time role in February 2018. He covers the biggest football stories and also reports on darts, golf, Formula 1, tennis, boxing and athletics.