Manchester United will hope to compete for the Premier League title this season after finishing third under Michael Carrick, but Jamie Carragher isn't convinced
Jamie Carragher says Manchester United won't win the Premier League title this season because Michael Carrick lacks the "stardust" required - and they've refused to pay for the best players this summer.
Carrick became the permanent manager this summer after making an impact as interim boss following the departure of Ruben Amorim. The ex-United midfielder steadied the ship and guided the club to third place in the Premier League to secure a spot in the Champions League.
He has been given INEOS' blessing and faces a difficult task in 2026/27, with expectations heightened. Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos have been signed this summer to reinforce the midfield for a combined £85million, with another midfielder and a left-back still being targeted in the transfer window.
Despite not winning the Premier League since 2013 when Sir Alex Ferguson retired, United hope to challenge Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool for the title. That goal is some way off, according to Liverpool legend Carragher.
“I personally just don’t think Michael Carrick’s got that stardust as a manager to win a Champions League or a Premier League," Carragher said on The Overlap Fan Debate. “I don’t believe Michael Carrick will win the league or the Champions League with Manchester United, but he’s done a really good job.”
He added: “He could have a good season and put Manchester United in a position to then go and get a Champions League-winning manager.”
United moved early in the transfer window to bring in Tielemans from Aston Villa and Santos from Chelsea following the departure of Casemiro. But Carragher thinks they missed a trick by backing out of the race for Mateus Fernandes, with the midfielder joining Tottenham from West Ham for £85m.
“I was a little bit worried when I saw United linked with Fernandes because I thought that could be a good signing," he said.
“I just looked at him and his age and was surprised United didn’t go for Fernandes. They said it was too expensive but was it that expensive? I know £85m is a lot but you’re never going to get a really top midfielder now for £50m.”
Santos cost £50m from Chelsea and Carrick clearly doesn't agree with Carragher, having been delighted with his impact in pre-season. “Andrey, for such a young man to come in the way he’s come in, his character, his personality is a dream. Literally, he’s a dream," Carrick said last week.
“He’s so positive, so mature, so switched on. He wants to learn. He comes in straight away and he’s trying to help other players and talk in games and communicate in games, and has that personality where he’s got a real substance to him. Delighted to have him."
Yumimnotuz
0
one thing is sure, man u will surprise many people this term.... man u team looks balanced, creative and ready to go
Zuhalmpsz
0
He should talk shit
He is right and Man utd should buy more player before wining trophies
Ritcdikmnr
0
cacbdklprz
0
if united want to win then they should buy good defenders and not use that bull shit defense
cacbdklprz
0
everything is ok, but Manchester United must accept it's weakness in defence. That is a cause for concern
you are very much right how can you expect to win the title when the defense is bullying
Sadmnops
1
Carragher I agree entirely with you. I can imagine the pains that Mike Carrick is feeling now as a result of man utd board and sir Ratcliffe not hiring the world class players needed to compete for trophies. Sir jim Ratcliffe failure in managing niece successfully would have a good reason to refuse him taking charge of man utd operations. Man utd is really unfortunate for having the Glazers and INEOS as owners who are only primarily interested in the huge profits accruing to them annually and not winning trophies. This is true because the failure to hire elliot Anderson, Tonali ,Matheus fernandes, Roger Morgan attests their predilection for mercantilism rather than man utd to firmament of football glory that it once belonged. It's really disappointing and even shameful that man utd can't compete for the buying of world class players anymore. I am not sure Mike Carrick will be at man utd dugout by the end of January 2027.
Yamadoprt
0
He should talk shit
GaddafiJamal
0
do you know? Santos cost United 50M so you can get players for that cost. BTW Fernandes was a relegation team. so he's not worth it or shown he's good at a relegating team. he didnt help
Is Santos A Top Player? 😂😂😂😂
Daphoenix23
2
Funny how most of this so called pundits were not special in their time but always quick to talk with a microphone 🎤. Even Mr Own Goal Carra
Buwbemopyz
2
who will win it then? there is a very big surprise for carra and his followers. Mark may words.
Beccdilnty
3
Mr winning own goals Did he ever win man of the match award before. May be yes cos scoring two own goals can make u win it 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Nakcelmny
3
what of Liverpool what are they ye going to win
Reudknpry
3
u talk to much shit
Pass2Pogba
1
If you have ball knowledge, you will know Carra is absolutely right, you don't get top players if you cannot spend 80-100m at least and its almost impossible for United to win anything with this current squad
do you know? Santos cost United 50M so you can get players for that cost. BTW Fernandes was a relegation team. so he's not worth it or shown he's good at a relegating team. he didnt help
Paebcikopz
1
when he was west ham what did he do?
Lozcdlpyz
2
andrey Santos to the world 🌎
Nadeemhasan24
3
If you have ball knowledge, you will know Carra is absolutely right, you don't get top players if you cannot spend 80-100m at least and its almost impossible for United to win anything with this current squad
Kidmoprstu
1
I'll bet you my house, Manchester United will not win the EPL in 5 years time. Jamie Carragher is right.
pambnpyz
0
Malik Diouf of west ham will be perfect fit for the left back
Juhclmortu
1
why this man can't shut the hell up. aren't you ashamed after saying the butcher was too small? he went on the lift the 2022 world cup and reached the finals in the 2026 version. aren't you ashamed?
faecimrstz
2
what does this knows about winning??
keaadt
0
So JC you think you’re Liverpool going to win with what they have signed.
Fohamoprt
0
did JC win anything before???
noobinrtyz
1
Nobody was even convinced that he was a top defender.
Yepdeikptu
1
we really need to act quick we have to go for scott or enzo
Arifin143
0
fuck you carragher...he won't speak positive about Manchester United.
Seal2314
0
Between you fool and Mikel Obi I don’t know who’s more stupid
tuzaekmtu
0
Carragher is fast at critiaizing and give his stupid mind about UTD, unlike his Liverpool that is in a turmoil
yihblmnruy
0
he is not okay bienda yake
Juudeikp
0
stop talking about premier league you don't know what it takes to win
Haccdklmrz
0
I think he's right..he said truly what Manchester united situation right now...knock out in UCL group stage, PL top 7-10 button
Zaydiklruz
3
This man is 100% ex-Liverpool player and now fan. So the question is why does he put 100% his mind and soul on matters of Manchester United (and this happens at the start of every EPL season). We all know that non of his predictions have ever come to pass and yet he shamelessly continues! I think his problem is his failure to help Liverpool win the EPL during his playing days, while his 'friend' Gary Nevil (a contemporary United player) won several times. Please JC, kindly give us a break!
Neadenpstu
0
all these 💩 united cnts
blackcharcoal256
1
@jamie carragher has a problem, instead of focusing on Liverpool, he's on Manchester united not winning a tittle he didn't even win a premier league title
Zezcdeotz
1
talk about liverpool
beeadeno
0
unah dey listen to this mf ??
Payabmnouz
1
shut up nonses
Fuuadlnprt
1
why this useless man always put mouth for man utd matter like this 😒 😡
yuabeinryz
0
this is the same guy who said united won’t make it to top after last season after 15 games were played. 😂😂
Roabcdikpr
0
that's 100% correct Mr Carragher, Man united is really lagging behind without a left wing and back young players too and decisively on Matteus Fernandez, it was a real miss to pull back regardless of the interest in him. But I do believe we the Reds can be able to go for Felix Nmencha before the market closes.🙏🙏🥺🥺🥺
zahikmnopr
3
you couldn't even talk about the team where you retired from which is Liverpool you now have the mouth say rubbish about our club Last season you people said we are not going for champions League and we ended up in possession 3 this time around now you are still saying we are not going make it up on any titles what a shame
Bendiho
3
I like how you rate Manchester United out so we can focus and prove you wrong
Ziebcmrstu
5
But let's be realistic for ones. in every of Jamie's Nonsense, there is Sense. I think this time he analyzed it well.
vyseherzel_
1
Last time they said United will finish 10th, what happened? however, he is entitled to his opinion.
be realistic, man utd will not win epl
Koacdknsy
1
Last time they said United will finish 10th, what happened? however, he is entitled to his opinion.
Everblessed10
1
Wouldn’t expect anything less from this guy he’s a Liverpool fan after all but he’s so obsessed with Mam utd…Will Liverpool win the league or the champions league?
jekikpstyz
2
u were never a top defender so u won't ever be a top analyst
jekikpstyz
1
talk about your Liverpool and stop saying all these rubbish
payceklouz
0
what about Liverpool tell more about Liverpool
bimcopuy
0
think before you talk