Gordon Hill makes the case for keeping faith with Michael Carrick at Man Utd

Michael Carrick is hanging on to his job at Manchester United, but club legend Gordon Hill believes it would be the wrong decision to make a managerial change now.

There’s always pressure on the Manchester United manager, but Michael Carrick is facing the unwanted kind, having to fight for his future. This is his dream job, as it would be for any football coach, and he doesn’t want to go down without a fight.

The Reds host Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday. They’ve only managed two wins from their first 11 matches across all competitions, after losing 4-1 to Como in the Champions League on Wednesday night. Not only did the performance and result draw scrutiny, but it’s also put Carrick at risk of losing his job just months after earning a deal as permanent head coach.

Carrick knows United’s form is bad. He didn’t shy away from that when he delivered a 6-minute monologue at the beginning of his press conference on Friday. There’s no denying that Sunday’s game is a big one.

Gordon Hill says Man Utd shouldn’t sack Michael Carrick

In recent weeks, there have been fewer voices advocating for Carrick being the right man for United. It would be categorised on social media as an unpopular opinion.

That doesn’t mean United fans won’t rally behind the head coach from the Stretford End and beyond this weekend. They can get frustrated with the team and each player, but turning on the manager is not something we do at Old Trafford.

It should also be noted that none of United’s ex-players has called for Carrick to be sacked. Dimitar Berbatov came close on Wednesday night as he delivered a brutal assessment of United’s dire display against Como. The Bulgarian wasn’t wrong in what he said, but he too wants Carrick to succeed.

Former United winger Gordon Hill took to X to raise a valid point about sticking with Carrick, while accepting that results aren’t good enough as United sit 12th in the table. Hill, who lives in the US these days, stresses that there are no guarantees if Ineos decide to change the head coach.

This may fall on deaf ears and you don't agree, but, I think United should keep Carrick even thou they are not looking good. No guarantees if a change is made.

— Gordon Hill (@gordonhill54)

October 23, 2026

Another point to consider is that Ineos can’t sack a manager they haven’t given the tools to succeed. That isn’t an excuse for recent results or a criticism of new signings, as they’ll take time to adjust to their new surroundings, but a realisation that it was unacceptable to start the season without a new striker or cover for Luke Shaw at left-back.

Carrick is a popular figure in the game. A young British coach, a likeable character, and one of the finest midfielders of his generation. It’s telling how difficult it is to watch him struggle with the view that those above him have let him down.

Let’s not forget the turnaround United enjoyed under Carrick last season to finish third and secure Champions League football. United’s current form has cost him credit from that, but maybe Ineos will feel he deserves time, should they can own up to their own shortcomings and contribution to the slump.