Wilson: Carrick’s Man United record invites caution

Jonathan Wilson has responded to a reader’s question about Michael Carrick’s Manchester United, arguing that the caretaker-turned-manager’s early record may not prove the team has truly turned a corner. Writing in The Guardian’s Soccer Desk newsletter, Wilson acknowledged United have gained “something that resembles stability” under Carrick.

Wilson pointed to Carrick’s 12 wins and three draws in 17 games as an awkward result for the club’s board: good enough that United “pretty much had to give him the job,” but not evidence of a transformed style. “United didn’t produce indisputably brilliant football under him,” he wrote.

The key caveat, in Wilson’s view, is context. That run came with United already out of both cup competitions and without European football, meaning the pressure was off. A full campaign, with around 15 more games than in 2025-26, will be a far sterner test.

The mailbag also touched on VAR and the Premier League’s newly promoted teams. Readers can find related match highlights on this site.