Why Man Utd fans continue to stick by Carrick

Analysis of why Manchester United fans continue to support manager Michael Carrick despite the club's worst start in 40 years and relegation-form statistics.

Manchester United have not won a league game since before the summer break and currently sit just outside the relegation zone on goal difference alone. Manager Michael Carrick has overseen nine consecutive league games without a win, yet supporters showed warmth and respect after Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

On their current trajectory of 0.77 points per game, United would finish with fewer than 30 points — a level that would almost certainly result in relegation to the Championship for the first time since 1974. Despite these dire statistics, fans have not turned on Carrick.

The article argues that Carrick embodies the values United represent as a club. A former player under Sir Alex Ferguson, he maintains an old-school approach, keeping matters private and always prioritizing the club's interests over his own profile. Crucially, United fans recognize that changing the manager alone will not solve the club's structural problems. Since Ferguson's retirement in 2013, United have had seven permanent managers, none able to mount a genuine title challenge despite varying cup success. Many former players and fans now argue that meaningful improvement requires new ownership, with the Glazer family's leveraged buyout structure identified as a core issue.