Michael Owen Urges Manchester United to Give Michael Carrick More Time
Manchester United’s difficult start to the season has prompted fresh questions about Michael Carrick’s future, but former England striker Michael Owen believes the club should resist the urge to make another managerial change. In Owen’s view, Carrick earned patience through his work during a successful spell in temporary charge last season, and the early league table alone should not erase that progress.
United have collected one win, three draws and two defeats from their opening six Premier League matches, leaving them 13th. Their latest disappointment was a 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur, a result that offered little comfort to supporters hoping for signs of a rapid recovery. With expectations high at Old Trafford, the slow start has inevitably intensified scrutiny of the manager.
A Promising Spell Has Given Way to a Frustrating Start
According to the British newspaper The Mirror, Owen does not believe Carrick should face severe pressure at this stage. The former midfielder took charge between January and May after Ruben Amorim’s departure, inheriting a club dealing with uncertainty and a disrupted season. Despite those circumstances, he guided United to third place in the Premier League, giving fans reason to believe the team could build on that momentum.
That performance helped shape expectations for the new campaign. Some supporters had hoped United would continue improving and perhaps become a serious contender near the top of the table. Instead, a string of dropped points has left the team playing catch-up early in the season, while their progress in the Carabao Cup has also ended. The contrast between last season’s strong finish and the current results has made the mood around the club particularly uneasy.
Owen acknowledged that frustration, but argued that it should be balanced against the progress Carrick oversaw. He pointed to fine margins in some matches, including a controversial VAR decision involving Manchester City, as a reminder that United might have accumulated more points. His point was not that a handful of extra points would solve the club’s problems, but that results do not always tell the whole story of a team’s performance.
Owen Warns Against Another Cycle of Managerial Change
United have changed managers repeatedly in recent years, searching for the right combination of experience, tactical identity and long-term vision. The club has appointed former players, established coaches and high-profile managers from abroad. Yet the hoped-for return to sustained success has remained elusive.
Owen believes that history should encourage the club to think carefully before making another abrupt decision. He said Carrick deserved more time after doing a “wonderful job” last season, adding that the second half of that campaign was among United’s best periods in many years. While he stopped short of claiming that the team was certain to challenge for the title, he suggested that continued progress could have made the season far more exciting.
The former striker’s argument is not that Carrick should be immune from criticism. United’s performances and results need to improve, and the manager will be judged on whether he can turn the current run around. Rather, Owen’s position is that a difficult opening stretch should be assessed alongside the wider context: the team Carrick inherited, the work he previously delivered and the long-term nature of rebuilding a major club.
Why the Current Table Needs Context
Six matches are enough to raise concerns, but they are not always enough to provide a complete verdict on a season. A team’s position can shift quickly, especially when early draws and narrow defeats are followed by a run of wins. For United, the immediate challenge is to improve consistency, create clearer attacking patterns and turn competitive performances into three points.
The draw with Tottenham illustrates the problem. A point prevents a defeat, but it does little to ease pressure when the club needs momentum. United must also show greater control in matches, particularly when they have opportunities to take the lead or protect an advantage. Those details can shape the public perception of a season as much as the final scoreline.
For fans looking ahead, any football prediction about United’s campaign remains uncertain. The team’s position outside the leading group is a warning sign, but it does not automatically determine where they will finish. Their next stretch of fixtures will offer a clearer indication of whether Carrick can restore confidence and close the gap on the clubs above them.
A Long Rebuild May Be the Realistic Path
Owen’s broader message is that Manchester United may need to accept a slower route back to the top. The club has tried different managerial profiles, but frequent changes can make it harder to establish a consistent playing style or build a squad around a stable plan. A new appointment can generate immediate excitement, yet that initial lift does not guarantee lasting improvement.
That does not mean patience should be unlimited. Carrick will need to show that he can respond to the poor start, make effective tactical adjustments and help his players perform with greater confidence. United’s leadership will also have to judge whether the team is developing, not simply whether it is winning. Signs of progress might include improved defensive organisation, more reliable chance creation and stronger performances against direct rivals.
For now, Owen believes the club should avoid placing Carrick under overwhelming pressure after a short run of disappointing results. United supporters have understandable reasons to feel let down, particularly after the optimism created by last season’s finish. But, as Owen’s comments underline, disappointment does not necessarily mean the manager’s work should be discarded.
The coming weeks will be important. If United can turn draws into wins and produce more convincing performances, the debate around Carrick may quickly change. If results continue to slide, questions will grow louder. The central issue is whether the club can show enough patience to build something sustainable while still demanding the standards expected at Old Trafford. For Owen, the answer begins with giving Carrick time—and recognising that a return to the top may require a long, steady process rather than another quick fix.
