Will Michael Carrick survive the international break at Manchester United?

The result may have ended as Manchester United 3-2 against Roma in the UEFA Champions League, but it continued a rollercoaster ride for under-fire Michael Carrick and the Red Devils.

The mood in Old Trafford when the half-time whistle went was one that seems all too familiar of late. The once great English side have fallen someway from the club that Sir Alex Ferguson led to their last Premier League title in the 2012/13 season.

Since then, United have won titles including two FA Cups, two League Cups and the Europa League. For most sides, five major titles would be seen as a decent return, but United have shifted between looking like they can at least challenge the best to near-relegation dog fights.

In Matchday 4 of the 2026/27 Champions League, United looked dead in the water after going 2-0 down. To Roma’s credit, they were good with and without the ball. However, United barely threw a punch as their fans made it clear exactly what they thought of their performance.

Carrick, already under pressure to remain in his position, cast a lonely figure on the touchline as his team was once again letting him down. Then came the moment they sorely needed.

A contentious penalty was taken once and saved before Bruno Fernandes was given the chance to retake the penalty due to encroachment. United’s captain then fired his penalty into the back of the net to the rapturous celebrations of the home crowd.

A double then followed from Matheus Cunha – although his 83rd minute goal came via some questionable defending before he smashed a near-post effort into the back of the net.

He scored the winner three minutes later before receiving a second yellow after removing his shirt and jumping into the crowd to celebrate. It didn’t impact the result, and Cunha’s goal lifted the mood at Old Trafford to one of intense relief.

It was United’s first win since they beat Sabah 4-0 on September 10. Since then, they have lost six matches and drawn three times.

Following a three-game losing run, Carrick’s job likely hung in the balance. With United 2-0 down at half-time, the thinking would have likely already turned to who would replace him.

With United securing a 3-2 win, his managerial execution has been stayed but he remains among the favourites to be the next manager to leave in the Premier League according to Bets.ng.

As with any managerial sacking, timing is key. An international break tends to be the time sides in poor form panic, and United are in exactly that scenario.

The Red Devils are languishing in 17th in the Premier League, 17th in the Champions League and have been eliminated from the EFL Cup in the third round by Brighton.

Against PSG, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Liverpool in the Champions League, United have little chance of securing the trophy.

There is a long list of teams ahead of them, and that is without even brining in sides including Atletico Madrid, Aston Villa, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan and more.

In the Premier League, the Gunners, City, Liverpool and Chelsea are all better placed. Meanwhile, teams including Brighton, Aston Villa and Bournemouth have started better.

A season without a trophy would be another catastrophe for United, but it would not be a surprising one. Carrick has done his best with what he has at United, but a lack of serious reinforcement across the park has seriously hurt the side.

Whereas teams like City, Arsenal and Liverpool have match winners in abundance, United put so much pressure on Fernandes, who is likely the only player that could claim to being close to the world class bracket.

But what does their terrible start across competitions mean for Carrick?

As the international break approaches, the good feeling from their win over Roma will take them towards the weekend with a renewed sense of confidence, but will it last? It seems only a matter of time before a decision is made on Carrick’s future.

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