MICHAEL CARRICK FACES UNCOMFORTABLE MAN UTD DÉJÀ VU — THE SOLSKJAER WARNING IS ALREADY HANGING OVER OLD TRAFFORD

Manchester United fans have seen this story unfold before — and Michael Carrick will be desperate to make sure it does not have the same ending.

The pattern is becoming difficult to ignore. A popular former United player arrives to steady a squad after an outspoken Portuguese head coach is dismissed. An interim spell brings an upturn, the former player earns the permanent job and optimism returns.

Then the pressure rises, the results disappear and the goodwill begins to run out.

For Carrick, replacing Ruben Amorim, the uncomfortable comparison is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who succeeded Jose Mourinho under remarkably similar circumstances.

It is still far too early for United’s board to be considering another managerial change. But two defeats in four Premier League games, followed by the Carabao Cup collapse against Brighton, will inevitably raise concern at a club already desperate for signs of progress.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group, which oversees the football operation, and the Glazers will be watching closely.

SOLSKJAER’S WARNING

Solskjaer’s downfall provides the clearest reminder of how quickly the mood can change at Manchester United.

In November 2021, his 4-1 defeat at Watford became the final straw after United had suffered four defeats in five games. The credit he had built up after guiding the club to a distant runner-up finish was rapidly disappearing.

An emergency board meeting lasting several hours followed the Watford defeat, with Joel Glazer ultimately approving the decision to sack him.

Almost five years later, Carrick finds himself needing a response of his own.

United’s extended international break begins after Sunday’s trip to struggling Fulham, giving Carrick an important opportunity to head into the pause with some momentum rather than another damaging result.

‘IT’S ALWAYS ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT’

Carrick insists he does not feel under pressure, although he acknowledged the growing scrutiny after the Brighton humiliation.

He has pointed to Everton’s last-gasp equaliser and Manchester City’s controversial derby winner as moments that have gone against United, but he knows the bigger issue is what happens now.

“Of course we can turn it around. We’ve got some really good players and it feels bad at the moment because we haven’t had a great week, or two or three weeks,” Carrick said.

“But it doesn’t mean you can’t win another game of football quickly, so there’s that side of it. I mean, the players have shown before what they’re capable of doing and we have as a group.

“It doesn’t count for much; it’s always about what happens next. What you’re doing in the moment, what you’re doing next, so that’s the ultimate challenge. Always has been here, always will be here.

“It’s all about what you do next and dealing with the moments, and the ups and the downs. We’ve certainly got to deal with this moment in a good way.”

That is precisely where the Solskjaer comparison becomes uncomfortable.

Carrick may still have considerable goodwill among United supporters, and there is no suggestion that his position is immediately under threat. But the club’s recent history shows how quickly patience can disappear when results continue to slide.

For now, Carrick has one job: make sure the next chapter of this familiar Manchester United story looks different.