According to The Sun, Michael Carrick has stated that Manchester United's start to the season is not as bad as Solskjaer's was.

The Sun reports that Michael Carrick insisted Manchester United's start is "not bad," though the article suggests the opposite is true.

During an interview at Everton, Carrick said Manchester United's start was "not bad"—a phrase no one had used to describe it at that point. The manager interrupted the journalist, pointing out that Manchester United had managed only 4 points from matches against Hull City, Ipswich, and Everton.

Carrick's interjection appeared to reveal his true thoughts: he does not believe Manchester United has had a good start to the season.

When the fixture list was announced, Hull City, Ipswich, and Everton were all viewed as near-certain wins for Manchester United—aside from the two promoted teams. Everton was facing mounting tension between ownership and supporters heading into the match, and the club's transfer window activity was chaotic.

Moyes had barely enough players to field a full squad. Everton was so desperate that it attempted to sign Sergio Cerqueiro.

Nevertheless, Everton attacked more forcefully than Manchester United. They had the best chances in the first half and created twice as many shooting opportunities as Manchester United.

Beyond the result, Carrick's comments were also concerning. Sir Alex Ferguson once said he had to deal with two matches a week: the football match and the press conference. Carrick clearly does not see it that way.

Carrick has never made particularly bold statements and rarely gives direct answers.

No one disputes his character. Carrick is straightforward, just as he was as a player—one reason Manchester United's management valued him—he is the polar opposite of Amorim, especially with a microphone in front of him.

This was not an issue last season when Manchester United won 12 of 17 matches and lost only 2. It has long been believed that when Manchester United enters a downturn, Carrick would need to adjust his approach. He has not done so.

Last Friday, Carrick was asked a relatively simple question: Will Manchester United strengthen their defense this summer?

Carrick replied: "Things are not always straightforward."

Supporters did not want to hear that. Neither did the journalists. Such defensiveness is reminiscent of Solskjaer.

Manchester United has experienced a similar situation before. In 2018, a tough Portuguese manager clashed with club executives and was replaced by a club legend who was delighted to get the job.

Blind obedience did not take Solskjaer far, and ultimately his tenure ended without any trophies.

Carrick and Solskjaer are close. They were teammates and later worked together as coaches for nearly three years before becoming rivals for the Manchester United manager position in January.

Between them, they accumulated 23 years of playing experience at Manchester United, so they view things similarly. But that may not bring Manchester United the success it needs today.

Solskjaer was most angered in press conferences when he recalled that Gary Neville had mentioned Solskjaer still smiling after losing to Arsenal in January 2020.

Carrick is slightly different. When someone suggested that Middlesbrough fans would be surprised by his record at Manchester United last season, he was mildly irritated: "We won a couple of games."

This season, Carrick was mildly displeased when Fjørtoft pointed out the lack of "intensity" in Manchester United's opening defeat to Hull City. A journalist later described the team's performance as "sluggish," which Carrick also disputed.

Manchester United was indeed sluggish. They did not attack with intensity until the second half, only after Everton equalized. The team only responded when prompted, and this situation must change.

Carrick's media approach must change as well. For weeks, he has been saying he "never said" things no one accused him of saying.

Carrick stated: "In terms of the financial situation and what we can do, it is what it is." When Manchester United's financial constraints were raised again during the transfer window, Carrick emphasized that he did not use the word "limitations." This is a cautious response from a cautious person.

Carrick sometimes needs to defend himself first. Manchester United needed defensive reinforcements this summer, particularly a left-back, but ultimately no one was signed. That is not his fault.

Much of Manchester United's defensive problems stem from current management. Manchester United signed Yoro, De Ligt, and Håland, later extended Maguire's contract, and then Mazraoui joined after Ineos took over.

No one expects Carrick to go rogue and question ownership. But when he voluntarily claimed Manchester United's start was "not bad," he was putting himself in a precarious position.

Solskjaer never threw others under the bus. Pogba and Raiola, his agents, continuously undermined him. And calling Pogba a "golden heart" may have made his adversary even bolder.

Manchester United players thought Solskjaer was too kind. Long after leaving Manchester United, Solskjaer admitted the dressing room was filled with "fragile egos."

During a training session in Ireland last month, Carrick displayed a somewhat harder edge to his communication style. When discussing the need to sign additional players, he used the word "push" or "push hard" eight times.

Carrick had barely faced the media for three full months before that and still had unanswered questions. That was his best performance since taking over Manchester United on January 13. In the more relaxed environment of Carrington House, even with Amazon cameras present, he appeared more at ease.

Since then, Carrick has reverted to his old ways, as has Manchester United. This is not a good start.

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