Ex-coach: Michael Carrick finds himself 'in trouble' with Manchester United set-up

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(Credit: Imago) Tue 19 May 2026 12:00, UK Michael Carrick has been warned he still has plenty of work to do to get Manchester United back to their former glories after landing the permanent job.Since taking over in January, the boss has led his side from 7th to 3rd in the Premier League and has confirmed Champions League football for next season.That, alongside victories against the likes of Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool ultimately led to him landing the permanent job, but his side are still far from perfect.Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Carrick must improve key areas of his squad and cut out silly mistakes being made by the players.Ahead of what is set to be a busy transfer window at Old Trafford, Man United’s next manager has been decided, and they can now push forward with their plans. 👔 Man United Manager News 👔 Get the inside track on the Old Trafford dugout with real-time updates on shortlist candidates and Ineos boardroom strategy. VISIT THE MANAGER HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Michael Carrick closes in on permanent Man United jobFootball Insider revealed on 15 May that Carrick will land the Man United job with an announcement to be made in due course following the decision.His interim spell has allowed United to shift their ambitions as they surged up the table, and they are now making big plans for his future at the club.Man United Record 2025-26Ruben AmorimMichael CarrickGames2016Wins811Draws73Losses52Points Per Game1.552.25League Position7th3rdMan United’s Premier League record under both managers in 2025-26.However, they have been warned not to get complacent, as the focus must remain on gradual improvements to get United back to the top.“Michael Carrick has done a fantastic job,” Brown told Football Insider.“It was another good result against Nottingham Forest, another win, and they’re going to finish third in the league, which looked impossible earlier in the season.“But there is still work to do, there are a lot of issues with Man United which haven’t gone away.“It’s like a basketball game at times when you see them play, it’s end to end, it flows without much control, and it’s too open and easy for the opponents.“They can put together some magnificent moves to rip through teams, but against decent teams, even like Forest, it gives them opportunities to go at Man United.“If your forwards have a bad day at the office and you can’t find the goals, they’re in trouble because they give enough opportunities to their opponents.“That’s something Michael Carrick will have to work on in pre-season, and there are areas of the squad where he will want to improve in the summer.“So there’s still plenty of work to do if they are to get back to challenging for silverware, even though there have clearly been steps in the right direction.“What Man United and Michael Carrick can’t afford to do it to look at this season and say ‘yep, that’s good enough’ because that is not the case.”What are Man United planning for the summer window?As part of Man United’s plans to back Carrick, they are preparing for a busy transfer window, with both incoming and outgoing deals expected to take place.Some of the squad’s deadwood players will be allowed to leave to raise funds, which will be reinvested into the side in key areas for the new manager.Credit: ImagoFormer Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson told Football Insider on 19 May that Carrick is facing a big transfer window following his appointment.United’s transfer plans have been boosted by their Champions League qualification and there are a number of big-name stars on their radar ahead of the summer.The board believe they will be able to compete while keeping their wage bill lower than that of their rivals, and plans are being put in place towards that end.

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