Michael Carrick faces 'crisis' scrutiny at Manchester United after Milk Cup collapse

Michael Carrick risks an untimely spell in the ‘crisis’ box seat at Manchester United after his side capitulated despite leading 2-0 against Brighton in the Milk Cup, the column reported on 17 September 2026. The assessment comes in the immediate aftermath of this weekend’s round of Premier League fixtures and ahead of the international break.

Fans now confront a long international hiatus with mostly friendlies scheduled in many countries while the Nations League returns in Europe; the column described that competition as "apparently conceived for no other reason than to allow Cristiano Ronaldo to spuriously claim he has won two major international trophies." The piece added that the Nations League’s format remains confusing to many of those involved and that interest in its opening games is low.

Carrick directly addressed reporters after the Brighton defeat, replying "Under pressure?" and adding, "That doesn’t bother me one bit." The column noted he has appeared markedly worn across his first six games in proper charge, only two of which have been won, and quoted him: "I understand what goes on and how the world works," he added with a sigh.

The report argued a familiar cycle at United — involving the dismissal of head coaches amid media speculation over club shortcomings — continues to recur, listing "Ole, Erik, Ruben, or the new incumbent" as recent examples. It cited boardroom penny-pinching, dismal player recruitment and ongoing fan dissatisfaction as recurring charges aimed away from the owners and their "besuited yes-men."

Writing on the match itself, the piece said Carrick was outwitted by Fabian Hürzeler while his players were "torn apart out on the field," and concluded Carrick cannot be absolved of all blame for United’s shortcomings. It warned that "Anything but a win in Sunday’s crisis klaxon derby at Fulham and his future, or lack of one at Old Trafford, will be a tedious but unavoidable talking point for what promise to be 16 already very long days."

Separate coverage quoted Thomas Tuchel responding to criticism after the Geopolitics World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina, including: "You can try to kill me here. But it’s my scar, it’s not your scar. No one is more hurt than me, no one wanted it more. They can endlessly torture you and think: ‘If I had done different substitutions, then we would have won the match.’ You just don’t know it" and added, "Sorry for the language, [they played eff]-it football: ‘We have nothing to lose. Let’s [eff] it.'"

Readers were directed to live coverage elsewhere in the bulletin, with Michael Butler hosting minute-by-minute updates from Manchester City 3-1 Norwich from 7.30pm and Scott Murray covering the night's action from 8pm — Real Sociedad 1-1 Bournemouth and Crystal Palace 1-0 Lech Poznan. The piece also carried readers' letters, including Jimmy O’Brien’s memory of meeting Ludek Miklosko; "Today's prizeless letter o' the day goes to … Jimmy O’Brien." Readers were invited to send letters to the.boss@theguardian.com and were referred to the competition terms and conditions when applicable.

For the full Football Daily email and the complete version of this column, readers were instructed to visit the publication's page and follow the sign-up instructions; United’s next immediate fixture highlighted in the piece is Sunday’s match at Fulham.