Nicky Butt looks beyond Carrick as he pinpoints culprit for Man United’s early woes

Former Manchester United star Nicky Butt has suggested that Michael Carrick could be let go by January due to United's lack of squad improvements during the summer transfer window. United have had a mixed start to the new season, winning one, drawing one, and losing two of their first four Premier League games. Last weekend's 1-0 loss to Manchester City has increased pressure on Carrick and his team, igniting discussions about whether the club did enough to address their shortcomings.

They brought in three midfielders but failed to make any signings in the attack or defense departments, with the failure to secure a left-back proving to be a significant mistake. Luke Shaw, in particular, has been struggling with fitness issues, and United's backline has been vulnerable, raising doubts about whether anything meaningful can be achieved at the current juncture.

Butt, speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, stated that while Carrick retains the confidence of the top management, he believes the manager is at risk of being sacked unless the team's performance improves rapidly. He argued that despite Manchester United's efforts to address the midfield situation, the team still lacks a reliable striker and needs reinforcements in defense.

Butt emphasized that Carrick might not even make it to the next transfer window, potentially facing the possibility of losing his job if the team's performance does not improve. The manager's concerns extend to Harry Maguire, who is aging and may be slowing down, along with the back four's overall fitness and consistency. Butt believes that both the back four players and the recruitment team at United are hesitant to make changes, fearing that it might lead to further difficulties during the season.