Michael Carrick’s early Manchester United record surpasses Arteta’s amid sack fears

Michael Carrick has a better record than Mikel Arteta over their first 26 Premier League matches despite Manchester United manager Carrick facing the prospect of dismissal after his side dropped into the relegation places.

Arteta, who began his Arsenal tenure in December 2019, was given time by the club’s hierarchy. He has since guided the team to the top of the Premier League, with Arsenal the competition’s most recent champions, while also making progress in the Champions League.

Manchester United appointed Carrick as their permanent manager in January 2026. In their first 26 league games in charge, Carrick’s side recorded 13 victories, compared with 12 for Arteta’s Arsenal.

United drew seven of those matches, one more than Arsenal’s six, while Carrick’s team suffered six defeats. Arsenal lost eight games during the same period.

Carrick’s Manchester United scored 43 goals in their opening 26 league fixtures, compared with 40 for Arteta’s side. United conceded 33 goals, while Arsenal let in 28.

Those figures gave Arsenal a goal difference of 12, against 10 for Manchester United. Carrick nevertheless collected 46 points in that period, four more than Arteta’s total of 42.

Carrick’s future in doubt

Despite those early figures, Carrick’s position at Manchester United appears increasingly uncertain because of the team’s recent results and slide towards the Premier League relegation zone.

Senior figures at the club are due to meet in Monaco on Wednesday, while Carrick has continued to report for work with his future unresolved.

According to reports, Manchester United could announce Carrick’s dismissal on Wednesday and appoint Mauricio Pochettino, currently manager of the United States men’s national team, as his replacement.

The Daily Mail reported that the 45-year-old Carrick was seen giving photographers a thumbs-up as he arrived at the club’s Carrington training ground on Wednesday morning.

Meanwhile, chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Jason Wilcox are expected to meet Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco to decide Carrick’s fate. Berrada and Wilcox travelled to southern France on Tuesday for a scheduled summit involving Ineos executives and are due to present their recommendation to Ratcliffe.

If Manchester United dismiss Carrick, the total compensation paid to coaching and administrative staff during the past three years under Ratcliffe and Ineos’ ownership would rise to almost £30m. Buying Pochettino out of his contract with the United States would cost the club a further £7m.

Carrick was also seen leaving United’s training ground on Tuesday with his 16-year-old son, Jacey, who is a young player at the club. Carrick had overseen a small group of players in training during the international break.

Sources at Manchester United told the Daily Mail that no final decision had yet been reached and that co-owners Joel and Avram Glazer still needed to approve any dismissal.

The Old Trafford hierarchy is understood to want to inform Carrick of its decision in person, meaning there may be no official confirmation from the club until Thursday.