Are you still Carrick in?

Football is a very simple game. It’s a results-driven business. However, the fans also have to ‘like’ the way you’re playing. When you lose the fans on everything regarding this. The cracks start to appear. We have to acknowledge where we are at. Are you still Carrick in? Look, I still believe we need to give it until the end of the season. It’s about how we bounce back and get to playing with the same momentum as at the beginning. If we’re unable to establish that pattern of play, and if our momentum in our fight for Europe starts to dissipate. That’s when you have to look at things objectively.

I’ve always stated that football is a results game. I would love to see Micheal Carrick do great things at Manchester United. I still believe INEO’s still want to give it time as well. I think fundamentally what we’re seeing right now is the biggest test of Carrick’s reign here.

It’s how you differentiate yourself and start to enforce your philosophy into the team that was there from the beginning. The judgement of Carrick’s role is getting Champions League football. But at the same time, you cannot ignore all the signs around you when we’re falling off.

Obviously looking at other managers has to be something that is considered, as well, just based on the significance of how we’re failing to play how we played from the beginning. Then it’s about who you actually go for out there that can get the best out of this current situation.

My fear is we stick with Carrick because he’s the safest pair of hands without the considerable investment that would be needed at Manchester United. Because every manager is going to be looking at the investment aspect when they sign that contract. There must be a plan and if we don’t have one.

If we’re just doing things based on the ‘feel good’ factor. It isn’t going to work. We all know Carrick brought an aura that the fans really aligned to at the beginning and that needs to come back very quickly otherwise there may be a reconsideration. It’s also about how the club is going to support ‘any’ manager with the significant investment and plan that’s needed to continue our momentum. Especially if Carrick seals the deal with Champions League football.

Where do I stand? Of course, I support Carrick and want him to succeed. However, the decisions that the club makes from here on out will be based on the results and how we play as we go on and that has to get ‘better’. The significance of Champions League football is massive. However, it’s all going to be about ‘our ambition’ and the next steps we take from here. That’s going to underline any future success at Manchester United no matter who is in the dugout.