Michael Carrick has been under growing pressure since the new season began.

His side have won just 2 of their first 10 matches in all competitions, beating Ipswich 5-2 and Sabah 4-0.

The last six games have brought no wins, and United sit 13th in the Premier League with 7 points from 7 games.

Carrick was handed a two-year contract in May after turning the club around, winning 12 of 17 league games as interim boss and securing Champions League football.

Talk of a change has been fuelled by reports linking Antonio Conte, though INEOS are reportedly still backing him.

A man who knows exactly how this feels has now urged the club to hold their nerve.

Erik ten Hag confirms support for Michael Carrick

Erik ten Hag has urged United not to be hasty in sacking Carrick, telling The Athletic, “It is not the solution to dismiss him. 100 per cent not.”

“Fans will demand this if results don’t improve, it is coming out from the stomach, from the emotion. You have to make rational decisions.”

“He showed good coaching abilities at Middlesbrough and last season. So let him do his process. I think he has a good staff.”

“I really want United to win. I want them to be successful again. I want the club to be back where it once was.”

“The leadership, you need their competence, you need the right strategy. What is your identity? What are the work methods? You need the right structures and quality people. Then you need time.”

Erik ten Hag speaks from experience, having been sacked in October 2024 after United won just three of their first nine Premier League games and lost 2-1 to West Ham.

His reign had still delivered the 2023 Carabao Cup, the 2024 FA Cup and a third-placed finish with 75 points in his first season, and he had the second-best win rate of any post-Ferguson manager, behind only Jose Mourinho.

Carrick’s own record is more mixed, but includes real achievements.

At Middlesbrough he took over in October 2022 with the club 21st in the Championship, won 16 of his first 23 league games and reached the play-offs, losing to Coventry in the semi-finals.

He was sacked in June 2025 after finishing 10th, with a record of 63 wins, 49 draws and 24 defeats.

Last season, he took charge in January with United seventh, and won 36 of a possible 48 points, finishing third on 71.

This season’s slump has been a sharp contrast.

Ten Hag is now technical director at FC Twente, and his message to United is simple, give Carrick time.