October 18
The Red Devils’ manager throws down the gauntlet
Michael Carrick, the manager of Manchester United, believes his team is "not far off" from competing for the Premier League title.
Two years ago, United’s CEO, Omar Berrada, unveiled "Project 150" to staff at Old Trafford—a roadmap aimed at winning the Premier League by 2028, coinciding with the club’s 150th anniversary.
When asked about this objective during the summer, Berrada stated: "Ideally, we achieve it next season; if not, then the season after. I believe we are in a good position. We have seen very good progress on the pitch this season, and we will continue to build on that foundation."
However, United is currently enduring its worst start to a Premier League season in 40 years. Following a defeat to Atlético Madrid, defender Lisandro Martínez suggested that the squad had not been sufficiently strengthened over the summer.
Some United players had anticipated greater investment from Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family to kick-start the current campaign. Nevertheless, Carrick believes that the "Red Devils" are not as far from being title contenders "as the critics claim."
When asked whether the goal of winning the league title by 2028 is a realistic ambition given the club's current trajectory, Carrick remarked: "Perspective is important, and football can change. I recall that when we arrived in January, we were a long way off third place—yet we ended up finishing third," as reported by the *Manchester Evening News*.
Carrick emphasized that the focus should remain on what is achievable rather than on existing problems, reaffirming that winning the Premier League is a major objective—one that the team is striving for and must continue to pursue. He explained that the team has won one match and lost another in the Champions League, and that it remains in contention domestically for a top-tier finish. He noted that recent results have led everyone to focus on the negatives, even though the team is well-positioned to turn things around.
Regarding "Project 150"—a concept discussed by Barrada and Sporting Director Jason Wilcox at the time of his appointment—he stated that the club’s objective is always to win, with no fixed timeframe; the goal is to achieve success as soon as possible.
He added that the team is currently taking steps to return to a level it has not reached in a long time. He acknowledged that the path to the top may involve various routes, and emphasized that the team is actively navigating this journey and working to overcome the challenges along the way.
