Peter Schmeichel makes bold Michael Carrick prediction after Leeds draw

Peter Schmeichel claims Michael Carrick is in no ‘immediate’ danger of losing his job as Manchester United’s hierarchy remain ‘confident’ he is the ‘future’.

Last season, Carrick took over after Ruben Amorim's departure and led Man United to a third-place finish in the Premier League, securing Champions League qualification. The club's management decided to trust him as head coach despite his limited previous first-team experience, which was confined to Middlesbrough. Ahead of the new season, optimism among Man United fans was rekindled. However, a difficult start over the past two months quickly eroded those expectations, and pressure on the manager's position at Old Trafford continues to Mount.

Beyond the team's on-field performances, the controversy involving Lisandro Martínez following last week's away loss to Atlético Madrid further fueled perceptions of an early-season crisis. Despite some positive signs against Leeds United, Carrick's Man United currently sits in 13th place and has gone six consecutive games without a win across all competitions.

However, Man United legend Schmeichel believes the club should be patient and give Carrick time to turn things around at Old Trafford.

"As Man United manager, you're always under pressure. But will he be sacked immediately? I don't think so at all," Schmeichel said on Viaplay after Sunday's match at Elland Road.

"The club's hierarchy has great faith in Michael Carrick. The management is very patient and understands that rebuilding takes time."

“As for rebuilding, people may agree or disagree, but it will take Man United a very long time to return to its previous heights.”

Carrick acknowledged that the team's performance was not perfect, but Man United showed resilience to draw with Leeds United.

The former Man United goalkeeper from Denmark believes Carrick's coaching can only be properly assessed after at least two more transfer windows.

“The club believes he is the future, and they will give him this time and these transfer windows before they see the results,” added Schmeichel, who played for Ferguson's treble-winning team.

“After one or two more transfer windows, we can discuss whether he is facing more pressure to avoid dismissal than a Man United manager would normally face.”

Schmeichel's Viaplay colleague Ljungberg shared the same view, suggesting that Man United look to Mikel Arteta's experience at Arsenal, where he turned things around after a difficult start.

"When Carrick first took over at Man United last year, fans and the media were overwhelmingly negative, dismissing everything," said the former Arsenal winger.

"No matter how he deployed his players or which tactical system he used, all his decisions were criticized.

I think that's unfair. Looking at the squad, I couldn't help but doubt the players' ability at the time. But after Carrick took over, the situation turned around.

"The atmosphere improved, fans regained confidence, and media assessments became more positive. After all, he is a Man United legend."

Arsenal fans will remember that when Arteta first took over, there were also widespread rumours he would be dismissed. The team suffered three consecutive defeats and languished near the bottom of the league table.

But Arsenal chose to continue trusting him because the club believed he was the future. I think Man United should do the same. If they believe Carrick is the future, they should stick with him."

Ljungberg continued: "I understand Man United is a big club, but this is the right path.

Now everyone is eager to criticise the coach. I understand that fans expect the best results.

But please give him time and trust him, and the team will achieve success."

Man United are eager to end their winless run. They next travel to Italy to face Cesc Fàbregas’s Como in the Champions League. Four days later, the Red Devils return to Premier League action as they host Bournemouth.

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