The small matter of Saturday’s Manchester derby awaits new Manchester United coach Michael Carrick, his staff and squad on Saturday. That tough game is followed by one against league leaders Arsenal away the week after.
The start of 2026 has been an especially turbulent one at Old Trafford. Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim was dismissed after publicly criticising his bosses. United did not want to sack him and had supported him up until then against external criticism. But he blew up during an argument after a disappointing late December draw at home to winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The players were concerned by the tactics in that game thinking that United focused too much on Wolves’ strengths rather than their own. This point was raised by sporting director Jason Wilcox the following day.
The pair had enjoyed a productive working relationship and tended to agree on 90 per cent of issues when it came to recruitment, players and transfers.
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