Carrick given a two-year mission: win the Premier League title for United’s 150th anniversary or face the sack

Following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of Manchester United, key figure Sir Dave Brailsford, who has since left the club, formulated the “150 Plan”. The goal is for the Red Devils to win the Premier League by 2028, the year of their 150th anniversary. This objective now falls to newly confirmed manager Michael Carrick.

According to the *Manchester Evening News*, it may be no coincidence that the club offered Carrick a two-year contract; he will only satisfy the board if he completes the title-winning mission. And since officially taking charge, Carrick has made it clear he is actively seeking ways to close the gap on Arsenal and Manchester City.

The 44-year-old United legend is not yet an elite manager, but that hasn’t stopped the club from having high expectations. Before his appointment in January, football director Jason Wilcox told the dressing room that the team’s target for the season was still a return to the Champions League – a goal Carrick achieved. Now Ratcliffe and his team want him to aim even higher.

Carrick is modest but also confident. During negotiations for his two-year contract, Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada outlined the club’s ambitions. The contract runs until 2028 with no renewal option – a clear signal that if he fails to deliver the title, he will be dismissed.

For Manchester United, failing to win the Premier League within two years may not be seen as total failure, but Carrick must either achieve it or come very close to convince the club to extend his deal. Otherwise, Ratcliffe will look for a new manager to take United to the next level and bring back the trophy.

Berrada confirmed the existence of the “150 Plan” last Thursday. He explained: “It looks ahead to 2028 and the club’s 150th anniversary – a historic milestone for any club in the world. We want to set a target, to focus our thinking, energy and resources on achieving a set of objectives. One of those objectives is to win the Premier League before 2028, which would be our 21st league title.”

The United chief made it clear that competing for the title within the next two years is essential. “Ideally we’d like it to happen next season; if not, then the season after,” Berrada said. “I think the team is in a good place right now, with noticeable improvement on the pitch. We need to keep building on that and invest in all areas of the club.”

To challenge for a 21st league title, United must make smart signings, particularly strengthening midfield by finding a replacement for Casemiro. Only then can Carrick compete with Arsenal, Manchester City and other top Premier League sides. Carrick has already been involved in the club’s summer transfer planning, and his influence will now grow as he pushes for the players needed to execute his tactics.

Statistics show that since Carrick took over, United have collected the most points in the Premier League – 12 wins, 3 draws and 2 losses in 17 matches. Extrapolated over a full season, that would give them 87 points, two more than eventual champions Arsenal. Carrick’s side have also beaten every other member of the “Big Six”, and only Manchester City have scored more goals in that period.

But football isn’t just about theoretical calculations. Next season will bring a bigger challenge for Carrick, as United return to the Champions League and will no longer have just a single focus.

A key reason for Carrick’s impressive Premier League record this season is that the team mostly played only once a week. That advantage will disappear next term. United could play up to 20 more matches, with two or even three games a week, meaning they will need greater squad depth.

There is also a potential upside for Carrick: with Pep Guardiola gone, the Premier League no longer requires 90+ points to win the title. The level of other rivals has weakened, making the title challenge less daunting.