Solskjaer says Carrick can turn Manchester United’s season around

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Michael Carrick remains the right man to lead Manchester United forward despite growing pressure on his former team-mate.

Manchester United’s difficult start to the season continued on Saturday as Carrick’s side were beaten 2-0 by Chelsea in the Premier League.

The visitors had been marginally the better team in the first half, but their performance deteriorated soon after the interval. Morgan Rogers, a recent Chelsea signing, broke through the Manchester United defence before lifting his finish over Senne Lammens.

Carrick’s side still had hopes of recovering, but those prospects faded when Lisandro Martinez was sent off after two reckless challenges. His second offence resulted in a penalty, which Cole Palmer converted.

The defeat means Manchester United have now gone nine matches without a win, their longest run without victory since 1988. They sit 17th in the Premier League.

Pressure from officials at Old Trafford to dismiss Carrick has increased following the loss at Stamford Bridge. However, the former England midfielder is expected to remain in charge for Tuesday’s Champions League match against Roma.

Reports also suggest Carrick will be in the dugout for next weekend’s Premier League game against Aston Villa, after which Manchester United’s hierarchy will assess the situation during the international break.

Although the club are currently continuing with Carrick, preliminary approaches have reportedly been made regarding three possible replacements: Eddie Howe, Antonio Conte and Julian Nagelsmann.

Solskjaer backed Carrick’s appointment in January and continues to believe his former colleague can change Manchester United’s fortunes, according to the English newspaper Metro.

“Michael has everything it takes to lead this club forward. I believe he is the right man,” Solskjaer told Norwegian broadcaster TV2.

“He understands the club, he understands the supporters and he knows what is required. You do not see that ‘evil’ in him. But it is there, and it is in me too. We are incredibly similar.”

Solskjaer added: “Many people probably did not expect me to become a football manager, and certainly not the manager of Manchester United. Perhaps many people thought the same about Michael Carrick.”

“When I spoke to Manchester United’s management, I praised Michael highly. I said: ‘If you choose him, you will get a capable man.’ I believe he did the same for me.”

Solskjaer spoke to Manchester United officials Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada after Ruben Amorim was dismissed at the start of the year, confirming that he had “offered” to return to the club.

His offer came after he had spent three years managing Manchester United, a period which ended in 2021.

“I had a good conversation with Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada. We did not discuss the length of a contract or anything like that,” Solskjaer said.

“I offered to step in if necessary, but I did not demand anything. I shared my thoughts on what the club needed to progress. We had one brief conversation. There were no negotiations.”

Manchester United’s listed fixtures include a Champions League match against Roma on 03 November 2026 and a Premier League fixture against Sunderland on 08 November 2026.

Reflecting on his time in charge, Solskjaer said: “There were some great moments, but everything has its time.”