Peter Schmeichel says Michael Carrick is not in immediate danger of being sacked by Manchester United because the club’s hierarchy still believes he is the manager of the future.
Carrick took charge after Ruben Amorim’s departure last season and guided United to third place in the Premier League, securing Champions League qualification. Despite having limited previous first-team managerial experience, restricted to his time at Middlesbrough, he was retained as head coach.
That decision revived optimism among Manchester United supporters before the start of the new campaign. However, a difficult two-month spell has quickly diminished that confidence, with pressure continuing to grow on Carrick at Old Trafford.
United are 13th in the Premier League and have failed to win any of their past six matches in all competitions. The situation was further aggravated by the controversy involving Lisandro Martinez after last week’s away defeat by Atletico Madrid.
Although Sunday’s draw with Leeds United provided some encouragement, Schmeichel believes the club should show patience with Carrick as he attempts to rebuild the team.
“As Manchester United manager, you are always under pressure. But will he be sacked immediately? I don’t think so at all,” Schmeichel said on Viaplay after the match at Elland Road.
“The club’s hierarchy has great faith in Michael Carrick. The management is very patient and understands that rebuilding takes time.
“As for rebuilding, people may agree or disagree, but it will take Manchester United a very long time to return to its previous heights.”
Carrick admitted United’s display against Leeds was not perfect, but the former Manchester United goalkeeper believes the manager should not be judged fully until he has had at least two more transfer windows.
“The club believes he is the future, and they will give him this time and these transfer windows before they see the results,” added Schmeichel, who played for Ferguson’s treble-winning team.
“After one or two more transfer windows, we can discuss whether he is facing more pressure to avoid dismissal than a Manchester United manager would normally face.”
Former Arsenal winger Ljungberg, who was also speaking on Viaplay, agreed with Schmeichel and pointed to Mikel Arteta’s difficult start at Arsenal as a comparison.
“When Carrick first took over at Manchester United last year, fans and the media were overwhelmingly negative, dismissing everything,” he said.
“No matter how he deployed his players or which tactical system he used, all his decisions were criticised.
“I think that’s unfair. Looking at the squad, I couldn’t help but doubt the players’ ability at the time. But after Carrick took over, the situation turned around.
“The atmosphere improved, fans regained confidence and media assessments became more positive. After all, he is a Manchester United legend.”
Ljungberg said Arsenal had also faced calls for Arteta to be dismissed after three consecutive defeats left them near the bottom of the league.
“But Arsenal chose to continue trusting him because the club believed he was the future. I think Manchester United should do the same. If they believe Carrick is the future, they should stick with him,” he added.
United next travel to Italy to face Cesc Fabregas’s Como in the Champions League before hosting Bournemouth in the Premier League four days later.
