Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick is left hanging on as indecision reigns at Manchester United.

Indecision is the story of Manchester United’s season, and entire Ineos era. We noted how the long deliberations over Michael Carrick are just like the drawn-out saga over Erik ten Hag’s future in 2024.

Michael Carrick has been left hanging, taking training while the club hierarchy plan a meeting in Monaco to decide his future.

We should not be surprised. Ineos‘ treatment of Carrick just follows the indecisive decision-making applied to Michael Carrick’s squad in the summer.

Here is a look at three ways Jason Wilcox and co failed to make a decision – leaving United short-handed.

Can’t sign a left-back, can’t commit to selling one

Manchester United fans warned all summer long that Luke Shaw would not hold up to a full season with Champions League football.

The injury-prone defender has once again struggled to stay fit, yet Ineos decided not to sign a left-back. Luke Shaw has played only five of Manchester United’s 10 league matches.

United did have academy talent Harry Amass as a back-up, and to some degree, Michael Carrick deserves flak for not playing the youngster.

However, it should have been clear from pre-season that Carrick was not ready to trust Amass. He has only included him in a Premier League squad once, and did not use him.

Zirkzee has not been selected to start a league game all season for United. It should have been clear from last season that Michael Carrick did not trust him.

Ineos should have worked to sign a new striker who Carrick could believe in. But they could not find a centre-forward they believed in enough to make an offer for.

No idea what to do with United’s centre-backs

Manchester United’s defence has been awful this season, with 19 goals conceded in 10 matches so far.

It has boiled down to indecision over three players, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, and Matthijs de Ligt.

United were willing to let Maguire go before De Ligt’s injury issues emerged last season. Martinez is not expected to be handed a new contract.

While De Ligt has not started a single league game all season, amid a painstakingly slow recovery.

Ineos had no idea how to handle this situation, and effectively punted on the position for 12 months to let it figure itself out – before addressing it in 2027.

Unfortunately, that looks to be too late for Michael Carrick.