For many supporters, the Manchester United cycle appears to be back in full swing. An uptick in form under Michael Carrick renewed hope that the club could finally be moving in the right direction toward the end of the 2025-26 campaign, but it's been followed by a difficult start to the new season and pressure is mounting on the head coach.
It was a similar story for José Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim. Moments of optimism -- some briefer than others -- and then a sharp downturn that led to an seemingly inevitable parting of ways.
United have sacked managers midway through each of their past two seasons -- Ten Hag in October 2024 and Amorim in January 2026. Take it back further and managers have been dismissed mid-season in four of the past eight completed campaigns. The scrutiny on Carrick -- who only signed a two-year contract as permanent head coach in May -- has increased with United winning just two of their first seven games in all competitions.
A last-minute equalizer to secure a 1-1 draw at Fulham before the international break prevented a run of three defeats in a row but Carrick -- and the club in general -- is under the spotlight again.
The international break has been dominated by Manchester City and their legal case with the Premier League. United could end up with millions in compensation, but the most immediate -- and welcome -- consequence of the verdict breaking is that the spotlight has been focused on the Etihad and not Old Trafford.
Will that remain the case after Saturday's visit of Tottenham Hotspur, another club in turmoil? Or do we have reason to doubt Carrick's position as manager?