Carragher says Man United will not win EPL or Champions League in 2026/27

Jamie Carragher does not expect Manchester United to win either the Premier League or the Champions League during the 2026/27 season. The former Liverpool defender believes the club’s manager, Michael Carrick, does not yet possess the level of managerial quality required to deliver either major trophy.

Carragher made the assessment while speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate. His view centres on Carrick’s limited experience as a manager at the highest level and whether that experience is enough for United to compete successfully for the Premier League and Champions League.

Carrick will begin the new campaign as Manchester United’s permanent manager. The former United midfielder initially took temporary control of the team after Ruben Amorim was dismissed in January, before securing a long-term contract with the club.

Carragher’s criticism was not that Carrick could not guide United to progress. He said the manager could oversee a strong season and place the club in a better position. However, he does not believe Carrick currently has the special managerial quality needed to win either the English title or Europe’s top club competition.

That leaves Carrick’s first full campaign as United manager under a clear test. Carragher’s assessment is that the season could help establish the team’s direction, but that the club may still need to appoint a manager with Champions League-winning credentials if it is to challenge for the biggest honours.

United’s prospects in the two competitions will therefore be closely linked to Carrick’s performance in his first permanent role at the club. For Carragher, even a successful campaign would not necessarily change his belief that United require a more accomplished manager to win the Premier League or Champions League.