Solskjaer backs Carrick to lead Manchester United despite growing pressure
Manchester United’s difficult start to the season has intensified scrutiny of manager Michael Carrick, but former Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes his former team-mate remains the right person to guide the club forward. The endorsement comes after United suffered a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea, extending their winless run to nine matches and leaving them languishing in 17th place.
The result has renewed calls for change at Old Trafford, where frustration is growing over the team’s performances and league position. United’s immediate focus is on their upcoming fixtures, but the club’s leadership is also facing a broader question: whether Carrick can turn the season around or whether a new manager is needed.
Chelsea defeat adds to Manchester United’s concerns
United started brightly at Stamford Bridge and had the better of the first half, offering some hope that they could end their poor run. That optimism faded shortly after the break, when recent Chelsea signing Morgan Rogers broke through the visitors’ defence and lifted the ball over goalkeeper Senne Lammens to open the scoring.
Carrick’s side still had time to respond, but their task became much harder when Lisandro Martinez was sent off following two reckless challenges. The second foul also gave Chelsea a penalty, which Cole Palmer converted to secure the hosts’ 2-0 victory.
The defeat was another damaging setback for a club accustomed to competing near the top of English football. United have now gone nine matches without a win, their longest such stretch since 1988. With the team sitting 17th, the situation is no longer simply a matter of disappointing results: it has become a test of confidence, discipline and the club’s ability to make clear decisions under pressure.
Carrick’s future remains under review
Calls for Carrick’s dismissal have resurfaced following the loss, but reports suggest he is expected to remain in charge for the Champions League meeting with Roma on Tuesday and the Premier League match against Aston Villa next weekend. United’s hierarchy is then expected to assess the situation during the international break.
That period could give club officials time to evaluate more than the latest scoreline. They will need to consider whether the team’s performances show signs of progress, whether Carrick retains the dressing room’s confidence and whether the current squad can respond to his approach. In a season where every match carries consequences, those factors may be just as important as the league table.
United have reportedly made initial approaches to three possible replacements: Eddie Howe, Antonio Conte and Julian Nagelsmann. The names represent different managerial profiles, from Howe’s experience building competitive sides in English football to Conte’s reputation for demanding, high-intensity teams and Nagelsmann’s modern tactical approach. However, exploratory contact does not necessarily mean the club has decided to replace Carrick.
Solskjaer: “Michael has everything it takes”
Solskjaer, who previously supported Carrick’s appointment, has publicly backed him to handle the challenge. Speaking to Norwegian broadcaster TV2, the former United manager said: “Michael has everything it takes to lead this club forward. I think he is the right man.”
Solskjaer pointed to Carrick’s understanding of Manchester United and its supporters as strengths, arguing that familiarity with the club’s expectations can matter during a difficult spell. He also described the pair as similar in character, suggesting that a calm public manner should not be mistaken for a lack of determination.
“He understands the club, he understands the fans, and he knows what is required,” Solskjaer said. “You do not see that ‘evil’ in him. But it is there, and it is in me too. We are incredibly alike.” His comments offer a personal perspective from someone who has experienced the pressure of managing United, where patience can be short and every setback quickly becomes a major talking point.
Solskjaer also recalled that he had praised Carrick when United’s leadership was considering him for the role. He said he had told club officials that choosing Carrick would mean appointing “a capable man,” adding that he believed Carrick had shown similar support for him in the past.
Solskjaer’s own offer to return to Old Trafford
The former manager also addressed reports about his contact with United following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal at the start of the year. Solskjaer confirmed that he spoke with senior club figures Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada and offered to step in if the club needed him.
He stressed that the discussion did not develop into formal negotiations. “We did not discuss the length of the contract or anything like that,” he said, explaining that he shared his views on what United needed to move forward but made no demands. Solskjaer’s offer reflected his enduring connection to the club, where he spent three years as manager before leaving in 2021.
Looking back on that period, he described his time in charge as one that included “some wonderful moments,” while acknowledging that every managerial chapter eventually ends. His remarks underline the complicated relationship between United’s past and present: former figures remain emotionally invested, but the club must make decisions based on what will best serve the team now.
What United need to show next
For Carrick, the coming matches are an opportunity to provide a practical response to the criticism. United need greater defensive composure, more control after halftime and a reliable attacking threat capable of turning promising periods into goals. The red card against Chelsea made the comeback harder, but the broader challenge is to prevent individual errors and disciplinary lapses from repeatedly shaping results.
The next fixtures will also influence the prediction surrounding Carrick’s future. A strong response against Roma and Aston Villa could strengthen the case for continuity, while further defeats may increase pressure on the board to act during the international break. Neither outcome is guaranteed, and the club’s decision will depend on performance as well as results.
Solskjaer’s backing gives Carrick support from a familiar voice, but it cannot remove the demands of the job. Manchester United need points, improved performances and evidence of a clear direction. Until those signs appear, speculation over potential replacements is likely to continue—and every match will feel like another test of whether Carrick truly is the right man to lead the Red Devils forward.
