Frustrated players, a manager under pressure and mediocre performances: the mood at Manchester United is sour once again. Yet at the start of the year, fans had reason to hope things would improve under Michael Carrick. As interim manager, he averaged 2.25 points per game across 16 matches in all competitions. By the end of the season, the Red Devils had even qualified for the Champions League.
All was well, you might have thought at the time. But after his permanent appointment, the United curse struck again: Carrick's points average has dropped to 1.20 since the start of the season. It is a fate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had already endured in 2018/19. He, too, initially delighted fans as interim manager, averaging 2.32 points before his return fell to 1.79 as permanent boss. So it is hardly surprising that Carrick is already under pressure just nine games into the new season. According to media reports, the club's hierarchy is already considering a successor. Antonio Conte's name has been mentioned in that context.
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However, the bosses first have another problem to deal with. Following the Champions League defeat to Atlético, a player publicly criticised the club's leadership. "I have to really hold myself back, but sometimes it's a reflection of where our club is right now," Lisandro Martínez told 'DAZN'. He called for more signings to remain competitive, "because a lot of other teams are signing plenty of players too."
In the summer, Manchester United spent €173 million on midfielders Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. Relatively "little" compared with their rivals, who splashed out between €200 million and €500 million. The United star therefore expects more from the sporting director.
In a second interview, with United legend Peter Schmeichel on 'CBS Sports Golazo', he doubled down: "We have a lot of games, we need to rotate, and in my opinion, we don't have the best squad compared with other top teams. I expect more from us as a club. I'm not going to keep quiet; we need to be more ambitious." The Argentine made it clear that the club's aim should be to win the Champions League and the Premier League.
TV pundit Wayne Rooney immediately criticised his comments: "I think he's perhaps gone a little too far, and that should have stayed in-house."
Even if the criticism should have stayed behind closed doors, the question remains: is it justified? Looking at the summer transfers, it is indeed striking how little United's squad has changed. Alongside the signings already mentioned, Marcus Rashford also returned. He had shone during his loan spell at FC Barcelona and would have liked to stay there. Instead, the Premier League club brought him back, hoping he could build on that success in Manchester.
The reality, however, is different. So far, he has played 502 minutes across eight appearances in all competitions (an average of just under 63 minutes per game). He has yet to register a goal or an assist. By comparison, in his first eight games for Barça last season, he scored twice and provided four assists.
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While Rashford longs to return to the Spanish sunshine, he now has to stick it out in cold, wet Manchester and hope for better results in the league. Because while United have at least started their Champions League campaign with one win and one defeat, things look considerably worse in the Premier League.
Just one win in their first six games, along with three draws and two defeats. That leaves the Red Devils in 13th place, currently having to look over their shoulders to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle. They are just three points clear of the drop zone. While Martínez talks about Manchester United challenging for the title, or winning it, the numbers make sobering reading. They are already twelve points behind league leaders Manchester City.
Besides, the days of major trophies are now some way behind them. The club won the Europa League in 2017, last lifted the Premier League trophy in 2013, and their most recent Champions League triumph was even further back (2008). They have only won the FA Cup (2024) and the League Cup (Carabao Cup 2023), but that falls well short of their lofty expectations.
Ultimately, it all comes full circle: with a manager under pressure, frustrated stars such as Martínez and disappointing performances on the pitch, Manchester United are stuck right back where their downward spiral of recent years began. And a long way from their own ambitions.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.