Michael Carrick Responds to Ten Hag’s Criticism With a Clear Message About Man Utd’s Board

Michael Carrick has made his position clear after Erik ten Hag criticised Manchester United’s leadership, insisting that his own relationship with the club’s hierarchy remains strong despite the team’s difficult run of results. The current United manager says he does not need reassurance from the board, but he knows that winning matches remains essential as pressure continues to build at Old Trafford.

The comments come after Ten Hag, who was dismissed by United in October 2024, spoke about his experience at the club in an interview with The Athletic. The Dutchman alleged that promises of loyalty, support and communication had not been honoured, raising fresh questions about the relationship between United’s managers and the people running the club.

Ten Hag also criticised the club’s handling of disciplinary matters involving players and expressed frustration over transfer decisions, including the sale of Scott McTominay. His comments offered a critical account of his time in charge, although his allegations should be understood as his own version of events rather than an independently established verdict on the club’s leadership.

Carrick, however, has described a different experience. Asked about Ten Hag’s criticism, he made it clear that he did not want to become involved in judging a period he had not experienced in the same position. He described the former manager’s views as his opinion and said his own relationships with the club’s leadership were positive.

Carrick specifically pointed to his working relationships with director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada. He also rejected the suggestion that he had encountered the toxic culture described by Ten Hag, praising the togetherness and commitment of his current players and staff.

That contrast is what makes the exchange significant. One former manager says he felt let down by the institution, while the current boss insists that communication and relationships within his own environment are good. Their accounts do not automatically cancel each other out, because they concern different experiences and periods at Manchester United.

There is, however, another challenge facing Carrick. United’s recent results have placed him under scrutiny, and positive relationships with executives cannot replace victories on the pitch. His confidence in the club’s internal working relationships is clear, but he still needs results to improve if he is to ease the pressure surrounding his position.

For now, Carrick is choosing to focus on his own experience rather than challenge every claim made by his predecessor. Whether that approach can help United move beyond the current scrutiny will depend not only on communication behind the scenes, but also on what the team delivers in its coming matches.

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