Michael Carrick bought himself time, not a contract extension. The dramatic 3-2 win over AS Roma on Tuesday night stopped the firing clock for Manchester United, but the manager is still walking on thin ice. Matheus Cunha scored twice to spark the comeback before getting sent off, yet United held on to claim their first victory since September 10. This win was exactly what the 45-year-old needed to banish the fear of an immediate ouster, according to ESPN. The team had trailed 2-0 inside 17 minutes, a scoreline that usually seals a manager’s fate at Old Trafford.
But the job is not saved for good. The United hierarchy hoped against hope that Carrick could weather a nine-game winless run, and this result might be the start of better times per ESPN. However, it would be naïve to think one fightback proves he must stay in charge. The pressure was already intense before the match, with fans hurling tennis balls onto the pitch to protest the Glazer family ownership during the game, as reported by Fox Sports. To demonstrate the intensity of the anger, supporters scheduled the protest to last 21 minutes, commemorating 21 years under the owners’ control.
The Next Two Games Decide Everything
Carrick earned a break, but the break ends very soon. The team faces a brutal stretch with a home game against Aston Villa followed by an away trip to Liverpool. If Carrick loses either of those matches, the intense pressure will return instantly and he could be out of a job by December. Although the next two Premier League matches present difficult challenges, his favor is strengthened by the way the comeback unfolded, making this victory essential. He cannot afford to lose if he wants to keep his position beyond Sunday.
Carlos Baleba’s hamstring injury forced a change that sparked the turnaround, with Youri Tielemans coming on as the replacement to help seal the win. Despite being down to 10 players after Cunha’s second yellow card for a foul on Leonardo Balerdi, the squad managed to secure the result. The win boosts the chances of qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages, but the manager’s future still hangs in the balance. The fans are unhappy, the ownership is under fire, and the team has barely won anything all season.
One Win Changes Nothing Long Term
Let’s be clear: this win saves Carrick from being fired today, not forever. The United supporters have long tried to force regime change, and this victory does not fix the underlying issues at the club. Minority owner Jim Ratcliffe has faced criticism for ticket prices and the club’s on-field problems since buying a 25% stake for $1.3 billion in 2024.
Since then, the club has fired two coaches, and Carrick’s position remains under intense scrutiny after a troubled start. The win gives him a chance to fight for his job, but the next two games will tell the real story. If he fails against Villa or Liverpool, the season ends for him long before December arrives.
