A mixture of boos and apathy greeted Manchester United’s exit from the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, the latest depressing act in the club’s recent record in domestic cup competitions. A solemn Michael Carrick and his players were the target for the jeers. Jason Wilcox, the director of football, looked unamused as he left the directors’ box — but he and the hierarchy around him also need to accept responsibility for what is unfolding.
This is the natural course of football. Supporters know what is good and what is bad, and they deliver a rapid verdict on those whose wages they consider themselves to pay. Carrick and his players are the face of the club: the ones put up to speak with journalists and sent out to promote the wares of sponsors.
The head coach is often treated as accountable for everything, from tactics to transfers, but the picture is more complex. Carrick returned to United in January, while others have overseen the long-term strategy within which the head coach sits. Pressure comes with the job regardless, and a defeat at Fulham on Sunday would significantly increase it.
United’s fanbase is fully aware of who is running the club, with regular protests against the Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Supporters recognise that not everything happening over 90 minutes is the fault of the head coach or those wearing the shirt. The boos are for the one-off performance; the apathy is for the bigger picture. It is tough for them to watch a club that is back in the Champions League be outspent in the summer by promoted sides, but that is the reality after years of financial mismanagement. It means the funds available have to be spent wisely.
The manner of the Brighton defeat said much. United were two goals ahead inside 10 minutes and still deserved to lose a game in which they were barely involved for the remaining 80. Brighton, much changed, possess an exciting array of talent assembled from all over the world through clever scouting and recruitment, signing players from clubs in seven countries this summer. United, by contrast, made four acquisitions from fellow Premier League clubs. Calculated risks and dynamism are part of the job and are rarely seen at Old Trafford — a strange contrast given that the most successful signing of last summer, in terms of price and consistency, was Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp.
Carrick and Wilcox cannot truly be judged until the most expensive of the three summer midfield buys, Carlos Baleba, is available, because his attributes should address the team’s lack of mobility. Targeting central midfielders made sense after Casemiro’s exit and the inadequacy of Manuel Ugarte, but it was not the only area that needed attention. The overall deficiency of the squad was acknowledged internally, yet the lack of variety in strengthening felt naive and is proving to be so.
Buying from other Premier League clubs is rarely cost-effective, even if there is a logic to limiting adaptation time. Given the shortage at left-back and Joshua Zirkzee’s inadequacies, sourcing a cheaper midfield option than the £50m Andrey Santos could have been better for the wider health of the team. Someone needs to relieve the pressure on Carrick by explaining why it was deemed best to spend £155m on three players in the same position, while the outside world is left to speculate and Carrick works on a plan B for the time out injured that many anticipated Luke Shaw would have.
Wilcox has done internal media duties. On 30 October 2025, after three consecutive wins, he discussed the long-term plan, which was derailed by the sacking of Ruben Amorim just over two months later. Things were going well when Wilcox opened up to United’s editorial staff, but beyond statements on sackings he shows no appetite to speak during downturns. In Europe, sporting directors talking to the press is normal; the Premier League has yet to embrace it, and the silence grows at United with the team sitting 13th.
Wilcox arrived originally as technical director from Southampton in 2024 and helped oversee the retention of Erik ten Hag after an eighth-placed finish. Ten Hag was belatedly dismissed for a poor start to the following season. Amorim was hired from Sporting even though his tactics did not match the squad available and there was a lack of finance to fund the overhaul required; United ended the season 15th and endured a meek Europa League final defeat by Tottenham. When Amorim was dismissed for his shortcomings after 14 months, Wilcox was permitted another chance to put things right.
Carrick is not absolved of criticism. This United team are underperforming, and heavy wins over promoted Ipswich and the Azerbaijan side Sabah cannot mask a disappointing start. The defence has struggled, conceding seven goals in four Premier League games, and against Brighton the pairing of Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven bordered on inept. The forward line has looked disjointed.
Wilcox was well respected during his time as Manchester City’s head of academy, where those who dealt with him considered him exceptional and suited to a role at that level. He is now scrutinised and criticised for his work at United after moving up the chain of command. Many outside the club would be frustrated if JJ Gabriel departs, but Wilcox would not be culpable, having worked hard to convince the teenager to stay, including through the player’s inner circle.
With power comes responsibility at United, but only Carrick is forced to embrace it. Ten Hag and Amorim fell for their failures, while others were allowed to carry on. Carrick and Wilcox are equally invested in the team’s success, yet it seems only one of them will feel the consequences if things do not improve.