Owen says Man Utd’s ‘next couple of days’ could be ‘pivotal’

Michael Owen has now dropped a clear-cut assessment on Premier League side Manchester United after the latest turn of events under Michael Carrick at the weekend.

Michael Carrick oversaw a second comeback performance for the Red Devils at home in the same week ahead of the start of the November international break.

Manchester United came from behind to beat Roma 3-2 in the Champions League before the Red Devils picked up a draw against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.

Aston Villa and Man Utd played out a dramatic 4-4 result on Sunday evening and Michael Owen immediately reacted in the aftermath of the Premier League tie.

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Michael Owen hints at the time constraint in place for Ineos in trying to secure a replacement for Michael Carrick

Manchester United will not return to Premier League action until later this month ahead of their next showdown against rivals Liverpool at Anfield. The Red Devils will now spend the two-week-long November international break in the Premier League relegation zone after Sunday’s result.

Michael Carrick’s men are 18th in the Premier League table and United are one point behind 17th-place Coventry City. United manager Carrick has only overseen one Premier League win from the Red Devils’ opening 10 league matches in the 2026-27 campaign.

Speaking after United and Villa’s thrilling Premier League encounter, Michael Owen said that time is not on Ineos’ side if they were to replace Carrick at the club. The 46-year-old former Man Utd and England striker says that Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s regime have a narrow window to bring in an alternative manager to Old Trafford if they have been scouting for Carrick’s successor in recent weeks.

“Going into the international break in the relegation zone just doesn’t have a good ring to it, does it?” Owen asked on Premier League Productions, as per the Premier League’s official website.

“If Man Utd were looking, searching, testing the market for a new manager in recent times, some would say this is the time to do it. I think the next couple of days are going to be pivotal.”

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The Ballon d’Or winner added: “But what we can’t deny is that Michael Carrick has gotten a tune out of these players in the last couple of days. They’re fighting for him; they’re absolutely fighting for him.”

“The fans are behind him; the players certainly played until the last second. If he’s going out, he’s going out on his sword.”

United’s last win in the Premier League came against Ipswich Town after the Red Devils’ 5-2 comeback victory at Old Trafford in August. The Red Devils have only managed eight Premier League points from a possible 30 in the 2026-27 campaign under United legend Carrick so far.