The boos that rang round Old Trafford on Wednesday have become a familiar sound in recent times. For Michael Carrick, however, it is a new experience after a whirlwind start at Manchester United, which saw him inject a new sense of optimism into the club on the wave of high profile wins and a return to the Champions League. So impressive was Carrick’s tenure as stand-in coach when stepping into the shoes of the fired Ruben Amorim last season that he was rewarded with a long-term contract and the opportunity to bring the good times back to a club that has been in decline for more than a decade.
United has not won the Premier League title since Ferguson’s final season and Carrick’s team is already eight points adrift of leaders Arsenal and City going into the next round of games. Things feel anything but good at United right now after a troubled start to the campaign, which has seen it lose three of its opening six games and crash out of the English League Cup. Then there was the error by VAR officials which cost United the match against fierce rival Manchester City last week. Going into the first international break of the season, the pressure is already mounting on Carrick ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with winless Fulham. There is no suggestion that his position is under threat, but Carrick is fully aware of the expectations at a club that is desperate to return to the top. Tottenham vs. Aston Villa is a high pressure game, with both teams winless at the start of the season.
As a player, Carrick knew almost nothing but success as part of club icon Alex Ferguson’s last great squad, winning the Champions League in 2008 and a full set of domestic trophies. Spurs spent $400 million on new players but is yet to even score a goal in the Premier League and crashed out of the League Cup midweek.
