Manchester United's ownership has no plans to remove Michael Carrick from his post despite a difficult opening to the Premier League season, according to reports from journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Carrick, who was rewarded with the permanent managerial role after an impressive interim spell that saw United secure third place and Champions League football last term, has endured a rough start to the new campaign. His side have collected only four points from their first four league fixtures, with the latest blow coming in a 1-0 home loss to a ten-man Manchester City side on Sunday. Erling Haaland's decisive goal, scored in what has been described as controversial circumstances, proved enough to hand City all three points at Old Trafford.
Despite the mounting pressure that such results typically bring, Romano insists the club's decision-makers remain firmly in Carrick's corner. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the Italian reporter said the hierarchy at United have full belief in the direction the manager is taking the club.
"Man Utd absolutely remain convinced that the future will be bright under Michael Carrick," Romano said.
Much of the scrutiny this summer centered on United's transfer business, particularly their failure to bring in a new left-back before the window closed. Newcastle United's Lewis Hall had been identified as the club's primary target, but a deal could not be struck, leaving the position unaddressed heading into the season. Romano explained that United were unwilling to settle for an alternative simply to complete a signing.
"Man Utd absolutely know that maybe the point about the summer transfer window was to add one more player, a left-back. They tried. It was not possible to proceed with the right options. United didn't want to sign just to say: 'OK, we signed one.' They wanted to be convinced about the player they were going to sign, and so that's why nothing happened," Romano added.
Even with the transfer setback and disappointing league form, Romano stressed that the club's faith in Carrick has not wavered. "But they maintain total faith and confidence in Michael Carrick. They only have four points in four Premier League games, so obviously this is disappointing in terms of results, but Man Utd remain convinced about that," he said.
Carrick himself, according to Romano, shares the same optimism he projects publicly when addressing the media. The manager has repeatedly expressed belief in his squad's quality and potential, and those sentiments are reportedly consistent with what he communicates internally to the club's leadership.
"Carrick remains absolutely convinced too. What Carrick says in public – 'We are going to do very well, I am confident, this team is good' and all the rest – is what he's saying to the club," Romano continued. "Carrick remains absolutely convinced that this team can do very well in the next weeks and months, especially after the break. So that's the feeling of Michael Carrick."
For now, Carrick's position looks secure, with United's ownership group, INEOS, prepared to grant him further time to turn results around. The loss to City marked another frustrating chapter in a slow start to the campaign, but the club appears committed to backing their manager through the early turbulence rather than making an abrupt change.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport (Fabrizio Romano).