Merson: Man Utd transfer policy is to blame - not Carrick

Merson blames United's transfer strategy—buying forwards first, then midfielders, defenders last—rather than Carrick for their worst league start.

Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has defended Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick, arguing the club's transfer policy is responsible for their worst start to a top-flight season, not the manager. United sit in the relegation zone with only eight points from ten games and one win in eleven across all competitions.

Merson said changing managers repeatedly has not solved the problem and that the mistakes stem from the players themselves. He criticized the order of United's transfer strategy, saying they should have prioritized defensive reinforcements first: "You can't build a house on a puddle. You've got to have a strong defence and they haven't done that."

While Pochettino has been linked as a potential replacement if Carrick is sacked, Merson believes the manager should be retained. He argued United's current squad is mid-table quality and that the club's expectations—rooted in their success 15–25 years ago—are now misaligned with their actual standing in the market.