Insider says Michael Carrick could never manage if Man Utd sack him

Insider Alex Crook warns that Michael Carrick could never manage again if Man Utd decide to sack him, a scenario the former midfielder‑turned‑coach now faces as the Red Devils sit 16th in the Premier League after a month‑long winless run.

From third place to 16th

Carrick’s tenure began with a remarkable uplift, steering United to a third‑place finish in the Premier League last season. Those early months earned him praise for stabilising a side that had struggled for consistency.

This season, however, the drop‑off has been stark. United currently sit 16th and have failed to win in any competition for over a month, leaving the manager appearing out of his depth.

Sacking rumours and bleak future

Reports suggest a dismissal could be imminent. Telegraph journalist James Ducker revealed that talks are ongoing, noting the boss was in the building at United. He posted on X that Carrick would be at Carrington to watch the under‑21 side face Hull City in a behind‑closed‑doors friendly, while crisis talks over his future continued.

Insider Alex Crook told that the blame lies with the Glazers and that many supporters are reveling in Carrick’s downfall. “The number of people queuing up to have a pop at Michael Carrick I think is unfair,” he said.

“Is it the Glazers’ fault? Yes. Ultimately, all of this is the Glazers’ fault, and I don’t deviate from that nor do Manchester United fans. The matchgoing supporters made their feelings particularly clear towards the hierarchy, and I am not saying Michael Carrick is perfect either. I do think it is a little bit distasteful the number of people that are almost revelling in Carrick’s downfall. This is someone who has handled himself with tremendous dignity. The number of people queuing up to have a pop at Michael Carrick I think is unfair. I am not sure we’ll see him in the dugout again, I don’t know if he was desperate to go back into management after Middlesbrough. I think he felt a sense of duty to Manchester United. I think he knew he was on a hiding to nothing, certainly long term.”

He added that supporters have made their feelings clear towards the hierarchy and called the situation “a little bit distasteful”. Crook also questioned whether Carrick even wanted to return to management after his Middlesbrough spell, noting a “sense of duty” to United but “hiding to nothing” in the long term.

Carrick was sacked by Middlesbrough after they finished 10th in the Championship in 2024/25, a dismissal that likely would have ended any chance of a high‑profile role had United not appointed him caretaker. While he earned credit for the second half of last season at Old Trafford, an early sacking this campaign could leave a lasting psychological scar.

The decision remains pending, and some hope remains that the club may retain him. Yet, as Crook warns, if United do part ways, the former England midfielder may never again be seen in a dugout.