Howard Webb
January 2026
Webb said officials were correct to book Dalot rather than send him off for a studs-up challenge on Doku that sparked debate. Webb argued the contact was brief and glancing and lacked the speed and intensity typical of serious-foul-play reds, warning that slow motion and freeze frames exaggerate force and distort real-time assessment that referees and VAR must prioritise.
Jamie Carragher
January 2026
Carragher said Carrick should not be considered for the permanent United job, arguing he lacks the elite level needed to win the Premier League. He compared Carrick to Rosenior as managers unlikely to topple top-tier rivals, then selected a shortlist of Nagelsmann, Tuchel, Luis Enrique, and Howe, with Tuchel singled out as having the edge and confrontational drive to reset a drifting club.
Kobbie Mainoo
January 2026
Mainoo is reportedly no longer considering a January exit after starting under Carrick, following a period of reduced minutes under Amorim. Amorim insisted he picked “best players” and Mainoo was used sparingly, but Carrick started him in his first match and the derby win is now framed as a turning point that cools short-term transfer talk.
Rayan Cherki
January 2026
Evra called out Cherki for disrespecting United after Cherki’s earlier quote about wanting to “kill” United resurfaced following City’s derby defeat. Cherki started on the bench and came on at half-time, but had no meaningful impact as United controlled the game; Evra posted a pointed response online, tying the loss to Cherki’s pre-match bravado.
Lisandro Martinez
January 2026
Martinez invited Scholes and Butt to confront him directly after they questioned his ability to handle Haaland, with Martinez responding that criticism is easy on television but different in person. Pre-match comments suggested Haaland would overpower Martinez, but United’s defence held firm in a derby win; Martinez used the outcome as leverage to dismiss the talk and emphasise focusing on performances.
Roy Keane
January 2026
Keane dismissed suggestions Carrick should get the job permanently, echoing Neville’s view that United must hire an experienced long-term manager in the summer even if results improve under the interim spell. The debate was reignited by the derby win and Sturridge floating Carrick as a candidate, but Keane and Neville framed it as a short-term uplift that should not override a planned summer search, while Carrick focused on simplified prep and emotional control as reasons the performance clicked.
Antonio Conte
January 2026
Conte criticised Amorim’s approach at United, saying it failed Hojlund, who has improved at Napoli and has nine goals across competitions since joining on loan with an obligation to buy. Hojlund was deemed surplus at United after an inconsistent scoring season and moved to Napoli, where Conte’s structure and coaching have improved his positioning and confidence, translating into goals in Serie A, Europe and domestic cups.
Michael Carrick
January 2026
United beat City 2-0, with Mbeumo and Dorgu scoring after two first-half goals were disallowed for offside and a third was later ruled out by VAR. It was United’s first home win over City since January 2023. United pressed aggressively and controlled midfield through Casemiro, disrupting City’s build-up and limiting their rhythm. Fernandes carried transitions, setting up Mbeumo for the opener, then Cunha’s cross was turned in by Dorgu after weak defending, with United staying compact to close it out.
Harry MaguireZ
January 2026
United are set to block any mid-season sale of Maguire despite enquiries, keeping him through the run-in while his future beyond summer remains unresolved. Reports say AC Milan and Premier League clubs asked, but Carrick wants him retained and Holland rates him highly from their England years, even as United plan for potential defensive changes and monitor replacements.
