Carrick Faces Defining November As Manchester United’s Brutal Fixture Run Looms
Roma, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Sporting CP and Brentford await as pressure mounts on the Manchester United manager following another defeat.
Michael Carrick faces a potentially decisive month at Manchester United, with a demanding run of fixtures in November threatening to deepen the pressure on the under-fire manager.
United’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday extended their winless run to nine games, but the club’s hierarchy has so far opted to keep Carrick in charge despite the team’s poor start to the season.
The Red Devils have collected just seven points from their first nine Premier League matches, their worst start to a league campaign in 40 years. They have also suffered an early Carabao Cup exit after surrendering a two-goal lead in a home defeat to Brighton.
Carrick’s position had come under scrutiny following a series of disappointing results, although reports indicated that he would be given more time to turn the situation around.
United supporters had appeared to back the former midfielder after the 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on October 25, chanting his name as he walked towards the tunnel while directing their frustration at the players.
However, the defeat at Chelsea offered little evidence of an immediate turnaround, and a difficult November schedule now presents Carrick with another major test.
Roma will be the first visitors to Old Trafford on November 3, with United looking to arrest a run of back-to-back defeats in the Champions League.
The Italian side arrive in strong form, unbeaten in Serie A this season and having scored 16 goals in their last four matches. They also came close to beating Real Madrid in October.
Five days later, United will face Aston Villa in the Premier League. Villa have lost only once in their last nine matches, while their manager, Unai Emery, has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Carrick should United decide to make a change.
The fixture run continues after the international break with a November 22 trip to Anfield to face Liverpool, before United travel to Portugal three days later to take on Sporting CP in the Champions League.
They will round off the month at home against Brentford on November 28. The visitors have lost only once in the Premier League this season, adding to the challenge facing Carrick and his players.
