Carrick says he still has 'own questions' over Manchester City case

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick said on 9 October 2026 he still has his "own questions" about the Manchester City case after an independent commission found City guilty of breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations. City have appealed the commission's findings.

Carrick recalled being on the pitch at Sunderland in 2012 when Sergio Aguero scored the injury-time goal that delivered Manchester City's first Premier League title and said he was part of Jose Mourinho's squad when United finished runners-up to Pep Guardiola's side in 2018 and on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's coaching staff when it happened again in 2020-21. He argued that being given a winners' medal years later would not replace the moment of winning, saying: "In football, the strive to win, the emotion and the feeling about winning, a lot of it is in the moment," and "Once that's done, there's no getting that back in any direction." He added: "In any sport in history, if later on you get the medal, it doesn't bring the feeling of when you initially win or you don't."

An independent commission concluded City were guilty of all charges relating to breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons. Manchester City have lodged an appeal against that decision. City boss Enzo Maresca has said he "trusts" his own club.

Carrick said the case had "thrown up a lot of questions" and that "some had answers, some haven't." He told reporters: "Certainly, I've got my own questions about it. It's affected me personally in different ways over a period of time." On whether titles should be reassigned, he said: "As it's still not finalised, I think I'll hold that one (whether titles should be reassigned) until later on." He added: "What I will say is that the sooner it gets sorted, for everyone's benefit, is essential."

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who worked under Guardiola at City, said: "[The] titles absolutely [are] not tainted. I trust the club now, in the future, always. I completely trust the club." Liverpool's Andoni Iraola said: "I think uncertainty is not good for anyone and anyone involved, but the process is ongoing and we have to patient like everyone else and see what happens at the end." Chelsea's Xabi Alonso urged patience, saying: "We need to wait for the final sanctions from the panel. I think they are independent enough to assess all the situations. We have to be patient for sure. It is out of our hands, we have to respect the independence of the panel and see what happens."

Several other managers and clubs pointed to prior punishments under the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules. Everton were deducted 10 points in November 2023, a sanction later reduced to six on appeal, and were docked two points in April 2024. Nottingham Forest were docked four points in March 2024. Everton manager David Moyes said: "I wasn't here when it was difficult for Everton, when things were bad," and added: "I hope it's not just Everton who are getting picked on here." Forest boss Oliver Glasner said: "There is no final verdict right now. That's why I don't see any point to comment on Man City because I can't," and commented generally: "But let's say in general, if somebody cheats he needs to get punished. If not, then not. And of course, we all hope for the integrity of the game, for the integrity of the Premier League, that the final word is spoken soon."

Manchester United supporters have re-hung a 'ticker' banner in the Stretford End showing 50 years since Manchester City's last trophy, a counter first displayed in 2000 at 24 years since City's 1976 League Cup win. The banner was increased each year until City ended that drought by beating Stoke City in the 2011 FA Cup final; the new version, appearing for United's weekend visit of Tottenham to Old Trafford, carries the number 50 to signal the years since the 1976 League Cup, described in the banner copy as City's final silverware "before Sheikh Mansour bought the club."

If the appeal follows strict Premier League guidelines it "should be concluded by Christmas Day, with a verdict to follow in the early part of 2027," according to the timeline reported, a schedule Carrick and other figures have said they want resolved as soon as possible.