Paul Merson tells Man Utd hierarchy they got it ‘horribly wrong’ over Carrick

Paul Merson has accused Manchester United’s hierarchy of getting their recruitment “horribly wrong” as Michael Carrick waits to learn whether he will remain head coach.

The Sky Sports pundit believes United prioritised forwards and midfielders when their defence needed attention, leaving Carrick to carry the blame for failures further up the club.

United have taken eight points from their opening 10 Premier League matches. But Merson says their recent comebacks against Roma and Aston Villa show the players are still fighting for their manager.

Paul Merson: ‘You can’t build a house on a puddle’

In his Sky Sports assessment, Merson questioned the order in which United have rebuilt their squad.

“They should have gone with defenders first. You can’t build a house on a puddle. You’ve got to have a strong defence and they haven’t done that.”

His criticism was directed firmly at the decision-makers above Carrick.

“They’ve got to look at themselves upstairs and think that they got this horribly wrong, not Michael Carrick.”

United conceded four against Villa on Sunday, needing two stoppage-time goals to rescue a point. Our Manchester United 4-4 Aston Villa report covers the dramatic finish.

Why Merson would keep Carrick

Merson argues that changing the manager would leave the underlying problems unresolved.

“I just can’t blame the manager,” he said. “They change managers left, right and centre all the time and it’s the same results.”

He also sees the responses against Roma and Villa as evidence that Carrick retains his players’ backing.

“If they weren’t running around for the manager, they’d have been ripped to shreds by Roma and Aston Villa and they didn’t. They came back in both of those games. I’d be quite surprised if they let Carrick go at the moment.”

That is a defence of Carrick’s relationship with his squad. Whether it outweighs United’s results is the question facing the hierarchy.

Where Pochettino fits into the decision

Sky reports that Mauricio Pochettino would be open to discussions if United approached him. Merson praised the United States coach’s Premier League experience while maintaining his support for Carrick.

“If they get rid of Michael Carrick, they’re not bringing someone in who’s going to take six months to get used to the Premier League. This man’s a top, top manager.”

Our Pochettino tactical analysis examines what he could bring to Old Trafford.

When will United discuss Carrick’s future?

Sky reports that Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox are scheduled to meet in Monaco on Wednesday, 11 November. Our Man Utd Monaco meeting explainer explains who will make the call.

PA reported on Tuesday lunchtime that club sources maintained no decision had been made, with Carrick taking training at Carrington.

Follow our Michael Carrick sack latest for developments as United assess their next move.

Paul Merson on Man Utd: FAQs

What did Paul Merson say about Man Utd? Merson said United’s hierarchy got their recruitment “horribly wrong” by signing forwards and midfielders before fixing the defence.

Does Paul Merson think Carrick should be sacked? No. He said he would be “quite surprised” if United let Carrick go now, and that the comebacks against Roma and Aston Villa show the players are still behind him.

When will Man Utd decide Carrick’s future? Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox meet in Monaco on Wednesday 11 November.