Ten Hag warns United that sacking Carrick won’t help

Erik ten Hag, who found himself in a similar impasse two years ago, says in an interview with The Athletic that firing assistant‑coach Michael Carrick United brings no benefit, now that the club is under heavy pressure after disappointing results.

Ten Hag's own experience

The Dutch manager left United in October 2024, after years at Old Trafford and two trophies won, when the results fell behind. Two years later the storm around the club has still not settled, and the pressure on the manager is steadily increasing.

Ten Hag notes that fans are increasingly demanding that the coach be dismissed when the desired results fail to materialise. He emphasises that the emotion and hunger of the supporters do not provide a rational basis for such a decision.

Carrick in the same position

Michael Carrick now finds himself in a situation that closely resembles Ten Hag's two years ago. After a heavy defeat to Como in the Champions League, rumours of a possible dismissal are growing.

"It is not the solution to fire him," Ten Hag says about the turbulent period surrounding Carrick's successor, and adds: "One hundred percent not."

He adds: "The fans will demand a dismissal if the results do not improve. That comes from the gut, from emotion. But you must make rational decisions. Carrick has shown good coaching qualities at Middlesbrough and last season. Let him finish his process. I think he has a good staff around him."

Ten Hag nevertheless hopes for better times for United. "I want the club to have success," he says, followed by: "I want them to win. I want them to return to where they belong and once were."

He recalls the beautiful moments in Manchester, says he enjoyed every minute, and emphasises that he is a fan of the club and the supporters have always been respectful. The problems United now faces, he sees as a challenge that should not be solved with an impulsive dismissal decision.