Manchester United boss Michael Carrick cannot afford another setback when Tottenham Hotspur visit Old Trafford after the international break, according to Sky Sports commentator Alan Smith.
Alan Smith stopped short of saying Michael Carrick would lose his job with a defeat, but believes the pressure around the United manager would become significantly greater if Tottenham leave Manchester with three points.
“I can’t speak for the hierarchy there, and how they’re feeling, but to lose to Spurs, at Old Trafford, in front of their own fans, there’d be plenty of boos there,” Smith told Man U News.
Manchester United have endured a difficult start to the season. Carrick’s side have managed only one league win from their opening five matches, with defeats against Hull City and Manchester City and draws against Everton and Fulham also on the record.
Michael Carrick pressure building ahead of Tottenham clash
Smith believes managers need time, but accepts United’s results have left Carrick under serious scrutiny.
“You want to give a manager time,” Smith said. “But yeah, it would just increase the pressure. I’m not saying he would get the sack, but there’d be so many questions levelled at him if they were to lose to Spurs at Old Trafford.”
The criticism comes amid wider concerns about United’s squad. Former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer has also questioned whether Carrick received enough backing in the summer, while former chief scout Mick Brown has argued that the manager was not properly supported.
United’s next league fixtures are significant for Carrick. A home defeat would leave Carrick facing even louder questions, especially as supporters are already frustrated by the team’s inconsistent start to the campaign.
The club appears committed to giving Carrick time, but the Tottenham fixture could prove a key moment in his early tenure.
