Paul Pogba has thrown his support behind Michael Carrick, urging Manchester United to give the manager more time to improve the team’s performances following a disappointing start to the 2026/2027 season.
The former Red Devils midfielder remains optimistic that Carrick can overcome the pressure despite United struggling to find consistency in the opening weeks of the campaign. With expectations high at Old Trafford, recent results have raised questions about the manager’s position.
Manchester United have managed just one victory in their first six Premier League matches. Their Carabao Cup campaign also ended early after a defeat against Brighton, adding to the frustration surrounding the club.
The pressure increased further following a 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday, October 10, 2026. United conceded a late equaliser despite having a numerical advantage after Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off.
However, Pogba believes it is too early to judge Carrick’s work. With a long season still ahead, the former United star insists the manager deserves an opportunity to turn things around.
Paul Pogba Urges Manchester United to Give Michael Carrick Time
Speaking to Sky Sports on Monday, October 12, Pogba stressed that Manchester United should remain patient with Carrick rather than rush to conclusions based on their early-season results.
The former France international understands the enormous expectations that come with managing one of England’s biggest football clubs. Nevertheless, he believes a difficult run of results should not automatically erase the positive impression Carrick made when he first took charge.
“It’s the beginning of the season, there isn’t much to say. The season is still very long,” Pogba said.
His comments underline his belief that Carrick still has time to improve the team’s performances and restore confidence among supporters.
Pogba also highlighted how quickly public opinion can change in football. When Carrick initially arrived, many people viewed him as someone capable of transforming Manchester United. Now, following a series of disappointing results, questions have emerged about his age and experience.
For Pogba, that change in perception is a reason to remain patient rather than make a premature judgment.
Manchester United’s Poor Start Puts Carrick Under Pressure
Manchester United have struggled to meet expectations during the opening stages of the 2026/2027 campaign.
Their record of one win from six Premier League matches has left the team searching for consistency. Meanwhile, the defeat against Brighton in the Carabao Cup has increased scrutiny of Carrick’s management.
Several results have contributed to the growing pressure at Old Trafford:
-
Just one Premier League victory: United have struggled to collect points in their first six league matches.
-
An early Carabao Cup exit: The defeat against Brighton ended their involvement in the competition.
-
A frustrating draw against Tottenham: United dropped points at home despite having a numerical advantage.
-
Late defensive disappointment: Conceding an equaliser in the closing stages prevented United from securing all three points.
The Tottenham result was particularly frustrating because United had an opportunity to control the game after Bentancur’s dismissal.
Instead, they allowed their opponents to find a late equaliser, raising further questions about their ability to manage difficult situations.
Although those results have increased scrutiny of Carrick, Pogba believes the wider context of the season must also be considered before drawing conclusions about the manager’s future.
Pogba Highlights the Changing Perception of Carrick
Pogba directly addressed the contrast between the optimism surrounding Carrick’s arrival and the criticism he has faced following United’s disappointing results.
“Last season, when he came in, everyone said he was the manager who would change everything. Now, when the results aren’t coming, they say maybe he’s too young,” Pogba said.
He also emphasised that circumstances in football can change quickly, making it important for Manchester United to give Carrick the opportunity to respond.
“Things can change drastically at any moment. They just need to give him time, and everything will be fine,” he added.
Pogba’s message is straightforward: a difficult start does not necessarily mean a manager’s plans will fail.
However, patience alone will not resolve Manchester United’s problems. Carrick still needs to deliver improvements on the pitch, particularly in terms of consistency, defensive organisation and the ability to protect leads.
For a club with United’s ambitions, results remain a crucial measure of progress. The challenge is to allow the manager enough time to make adjustments while ensuring the team continues moving towards its objectives.
Pogba’s Previous Connection With Carrick at Manchester United
Pogba’s support for Carrick also comes from their previous connection at Manchester United.
The two worked together at Old Trafford when Pogba was still a player for the Red Devils. That experience gave Pogba an opportunity to know Carrick before seeing him take on a managerial role.
His familiarity with Carrick provides useful context for his confidence in the current United boss.
Nevertheless, that relationship does not mean Manchester United can ignore their recent shortcomings. The team still needs to improve its performances, make better use of scoring opportunities and become more consistent across matches.
Carrick’s immediate challenge is to translate the time and confidence he receives into tangible progress.
The upcoming fixtures will provide further opportunities for United to demonstrate whether they can recover from their difficult opening run.
Paul Pogba’s Own Future Remains Uncertain
While Pogba has offered his opinion on Manchester United’s managerial situation, his own playing future remains unclear.
The 33-year-old midfielder has been without a club since leaving AS Monaco in August 2026. During approximately one year with the French side, he made only six appearances.
His two-year contract was subsequently terminated by mutual agreement, and he has yet to announce his next career move.
Pogba shared his thoughts on Carrick while attending the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday, October 11, 2026.
Although his immediate future remains unresolved, his comments show that he continues to follow developments at Manchester United, a club that played a significant role in his professional career.
For now, however, Pogba’s remarks are focused on Carrick and the importance of giving the manager sufficient time to address the team’s problems.
Can Michael Carrick Turn Manchester United’s Season Around?
Pogba’s backing arrives at a challenging moment for Manchester United. Their disappointing start has placed Carrick under pressure, while the draw against Tottenham highlighted the team’s ongoing difficulties.
His message is a reminder that managerial assessments should consider more than a handful of early results. With much of the season still to play, Carrick has an opportunity to demonstrate that he can improve United’s performances.
At the same time, the manager must show progress on the pitch. Better results, greater consistency and improved game management will be important if he is to restore confidence among supporters.
For now, Pogba believes patience is the right approach. Whether Carrick can justify that confidence will depend on how Manchester United respond in the matches ahead.
ALSO READ :
