Manchester United are sitting pretty in third place and a win tonight basically seals Champions League football for next season. On paper this should be comfortable. Brentford at Old Trafford, United in form, job done.
But I have a bad feeling about this one.
United beat Chelsea last week and it was not pretty. Chelsea had chances, United were wobbly, and only Cunha's goal separated the two sides. One shot on target each. That is not the performance of a team playing with hunger and confidence. That is a team doing just enough and nothing more.
And here is what worries me. The players know they have basically qualified for the Champions League already. The pressure is off. And when the pressure is off with this United squad we have seen what happens. The intensity drops, the sharpness drops, and suddenly a team like Brentford who have nothing to lose are right in the game.
We have seen it time and again with United. The moment they get comfortable the performances suffer. Chelsea showed it. Leeds showed it before that. So yes United are third and comfortable but comfortable is exactly what I do not want them to be right now.
Now about Carrick. There is a real debate happening about whether he gets the job permanently. Rooney backs him, Rio backs him. Keane and Neville are against it. And honestly both sides have a point. Carrick has done well since coming in, United have won more points than anyone in 2026 under him, but the performances have not always convinced. The late substitutions, the tactical questions, the moments where the team looks like it has no clear identity.
Tonight is the perfect opportunity to answer those questions. Old Trafford, big game, something to play for. Show us Carrick. Show the fans who are sitting on the fence that they can trust you. Because right now the United fanbase is hesitant and hesitant fans do not back a manager loudly enough when he needs it most.
The good news on the team front. Maguire is back from suspension which is a big boost after the makeshift defence against Chelsea. Yoro has a late fitness test and could return. Dorgu is close to coming back and De Ligt has started training again. Things are slowly coming back to normal at the back.
Brentford though are dangerous. Keith Andrews has them well organised, they are chasing European football themselves and they have nothing to fear coming to Old Trafford. Igor Thiago, Schade, Ouattara on the counter — they are quick and direct and if United switch off for even five minutes they will punish them.
The job is Carrick's to lose. That is where we are. Tonight he has to give us something to believe in.
I hope I am wrong about the hunger levels. I really do. But I have seen this United side coast when they think the job is done and Brentford are exactly the kind of team that punishes you for that.
Let me know your thoughts.