Piers Morgan has named the manager Manchester United should be targeting after labelling Michael Carrick as ‘deluded’.

United’s dismal start to the 2026/2027 season continued on Saturday afternoon after they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

After an encouraging first half, Carrick’s men fell behind to Morgan Rogers’ brilliant solo goal in the 50th minute. Lisandro Martinez then gave away a penalty and got himself sent off, with Cole Palmer scoring from the spot to seal a 2-0 win.

As a result, Carrick is now under immense pressure, with United currently winless in nine matches and 17th in the Premier League table, having collected just seven points from nine matches.

Piers Morgan Takes Aim at ‘Deluded’ Michael Carrick

Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, via Fabrizio Romano, Carrick stated that his players ‘had the game in the right place’. He said: “You can see from today the boys had the game in the right place and things have gone against us.”

Replying to Romano’s tweet, TV presenter and Arsenal fan Morgan was quick to criticise Carrick, calling him ‘deluded’ and ‘out of his depth’ while urging United to look to Antonio Conte.

Italian Conte has previously managed in the Premier League with Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur; he has been out of a job since leaving Serie A side Napoli in the summer.

Conte is believed to be one of many names that have been discussed by the United board as they line up potential replacements for Carrick.

Morgan wrote:

“You lost 2-0! Carrick seems utterly deluded and totally out of his depth. United need an animal like Conte, not a therapist.”

Carrick also added: “I don't think our heads dropped. The boys were in a good place in the first half. You could see that with the performance in the first half.

“It just gave them a lift and gave them a lift. We didn't start the second half great. They made the first blow and that made the difference.”

However, despite another poor result, Carrick stated that he expects to be in charge when United return to action on Tuesday night, when they take on Roma in the Champions League at Old Trafford.

Joe Cole Says Lisandro Martinez Has Let Michael Carrick Down

While commentating on the match, ex-Chelsea star Joe Cole laid into Martinez, who was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for fouling Wesley Fofana inside the penalty area.

“He has let [Carrick] down,” Cole said. “He’s made a huge error. I don’t know the lad, but he’s let his teammates down 100 per cent. It’s a crucial moment.”

Carrick said after the match: “It has a major importance on the game. A huge moment. I think that is pretty obvious really.”