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Nigeria must harmonise and reduce right-of-way charges imposed by states and strengthen laws protecting telecommunications infrastructure to lower the cost of digital investment and accelerate network expansion, Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), has said. Nigerian Banking Launch

Adebayo made the call at a panel session titled ‘Innovation, Investment and the Next Decade of Partnerships’ at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja on Tuesday, where business leaders and policymakers discussed the conditions required to attract long-term investment into Nigeria.

He said inconsistent charges for access to land and rights of way, alongside high land rents and the risk of damage to network infrastructure, remained concerns for telecommunications operators seeking to expand services and improve connectivity.

According to him, the government needs to create a more consistent regulatory environment across states while strengthening the legal framework for protecting critical telecommunications and digital infrastructure.

‘I don’t see why states should still charge for right of way. And we are starting an advocacy on why we think right of way should be provided free of charge.

‘We require stronger legislation to solidify the possession of our assets. More than that also, the consequence management also has to be better,’ he said

The calls come as Nigeria seeks to attract more investment into its digital economy, where reliable telecommunications networks are essential to financial services, commerce, education and other technology-enabled activities. Nigerian Banking Launch

Adebayo advocated free right-of-way access across all states, arguing that the cost of securing access for fibre-optic cables and other network infrastructure should not become an additional barrier to investment.

For operators, differing charges and requirements across states can complicate network deployment, increase project costs and make expansion more difficult, particularly where infrastructure must cross multiple jurisdictions.

A uniform approach, he argued, would help create a more predictable environment for telecommunications companies planning infrastructure projects and seeking to extend coverage to underserved communities.

Adebayo said infrastructure damage had declined since telecommunications assets were designated as critical national infrastructure, while enforcement and consequence management had improved. However, he argued that existing laws and penalties needed to be strengthened to provide more effective protection for operators’ investments.

He called for legislation that would make the protection of telecommunications infrastructure more effective, noting that damage to networks can disrupt essential services and increase the cost of maintaining and expanding connectivity.

‘We think that there’s a need for us to look at that and see how best we can provide commensurate consequence for actions that are impactful on our services,’ he added

Also speaking, Shuaibu Afolabi, chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, said the 2025 amendment had designated critical national information infrastructure, including telecommunications networks, banking systems and the National Identity Number database.

Nigeria must harmonise and reduce right-of-way charges imposed by states and strengthen laws protecting telecommunications infrastructure to lower the cost of digital investment and accelerate network expansion, Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), has said. Nigerian Banking Launch

Adebayo made the call at a panel session titled ‘Innovation, Investment and the Next Decade of Partnerships’ at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja on Tuesday, where business leaders and policymakers discussed the conditions required to attract long-term investment into Nigeria.

He said inconsistent charges for access to land and rights of way, alongside high land rents and the risk of damage to network infrastructure, remained concerns for telecommunications operators seeking to expand services and improve connectivity.

According to him, the government needs to create a more consistent regulatory environment across states while strengthening the legal framework for protecting critical telecommunications and digital infrastructure.

‘I don’t see why states should still charge for right of way. And we are starting an advocacy on why we think right of way should be provided free of charge.

‘We require stronger legislation to solidify the possession of our assets. More than that also, the consequence management also has to be better,’ he said

The calls come as Nigeria seeks to attract more investment into its digital economy, where reliable telecommunications networks are essential to financial services, commerce, education and other technology-enabled activities. Nigerian Banking Launch

Adebayo advocated free right-of-way access across all states, arguing that the cost of securing access for fibre-optic cables and other network infrastructure should not become an additional barrier to investment.

For operators, differing charges and requirements across states can complicate network deployment, increase project costs and make expansion more difficult, particularly where infrastructure must cross multiple jurisdictions.

A uniform approach, he argued, would help create a more predictable environment for telecommunications companies planning infrastructure projects and seeking to extend coverage to underserved communities.

Adebayo said infrastructure damage had declined since telecommunications assets were designated as critical national infrastructure, while enforcement and consequence management had improved. However, he argued that existing laws and penalties needed to be strengthened to provide more effective protection for operators’ investments.

He called for legislation that would make the protection of telecommunications infrastructure more effective, noting that damage to networks can disrupt essential services and increase the cost of maintaining and expanding connectivity.

‘We think that there’s a need for us to look at that and see how best we can provide commensurate consequence for actions that are impactful on our services,’ he added

Also speaking, Shuaibu Afolabi, chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, said the 2025 amendment had designated critical national information infrastructure, including telecommunications networks, banking systems and the National Identity Number database.

Lagos, Nigeria, October 2026 – Standard Chartered has acted as sole financial adviser to Shell International Limited on the sale of Shell Nigeria Gas Limited (SNG) to Vaaris Energy Limited, a significant transaction involving one of Nigeria’s leading gas distribution platforms.

Shell entered into an agreement for the sale on 13 October 2026, with completion expected in the first half of 2027.

SNG is a leading gas distribution company in Nigeria, providing gas supply solutions to industrial and commercial customers through an extensive gas infrastructure network. The transaction will provide Vaaris Energy with a scaled gas infrastructure platform positioned to support and benefit from growing domestic gas demand. Nigerian Banking Launch

Standard Chartered provided strategic and financial advice throughout the transaction, managing the end-to-end sell-side process, including transaction preparation and positioning, buyer engagement, deal structuring, negotiations, diligence coordination and transaction documentation. The mandate builds on the Bank’s longstanding relationship with Shell and its experience supporting strategic advisory mandates across Shell’s global portfolio.

Commenting on the transaction, Dalu Ajene, CEO and Head of Coverage, Africa, Standard Chartered, said:

Nigeria’s gas sector has an important role to play in supporting the country’s economic ambitions and meeting growing domestic energy demand. Across Africa, investment in critical energy infrastructure is essential to unlocking industrial growth and long-term development, and this transaction demonstrates the role strategic investment can play in advancing that opportunity. At Standard Chartered, connecting our clients in Nigeria and across Africa to global capital and investors remains a priority. We are pleased to have supported Shell by bringing together the strength of our international network, deep local knowledge and sector expertise.’ Nigerian Banking Launch

?A prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) testified on Tuesday that the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) board authorized the sale of NG Eagle, with the N149 million proceeds deposited directly into the agency’s Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) account. Nigerian Banking Launch

?The witness, Bawa Usman Kaltungo, made these disclosures during cross-examination by Olasupo Shasore, senior advocate and counsel to Ahmed Kuru, former AMCON managing director and CEO.

Kuru is currently on trial before Justice Mojisola Dada at the Ikeja Special Offences Court in Lagos over alleged irregularities in the management and disposal of the airline.

?Under questioning, Kaltungo confirmed that Kuru secured proper approval from the Amos Adamu-led AMCON board prior to the divestment.

He also acknowledged that the transaction funds were directed into AMCON’s CBN account.

?The admissions directly challenged Kaltungo’s earlier investigative finding that AMCON had unlawfully incorporated NG Eagle and Super Bravo Limited.

When asked by defence counsel to justify the claim of illegality, the EFCC investigator admitted relying on intelligence that included a lower court ruling against the sale. However, he conceded he was unaware at the time that the judgment was under appeal, a ruling that was later set aside by the appellate court.

?Kaltungo further accepted that his memory might be flawed, acknowledging that Kuru did not act without board authorization.

?The defense used the testimony to question the integrity of the prosecution’s case and the thoroughness of the EFCC’s probe.

The proceedings stem from a petition submitted by human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, representing Arik Air’s shareholders and founders.

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?Kuru is charged alongside Kamilu Omokide, former Arik Air receiver manager; Captain Roy Ilegbodu, the airline’s CEO; Union Bank Limited; and Super Bravo Limited. Proceedings resume on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.

urges Nigerians to optimise phone settings to curb data use

MTN Nigeria said video streaming, automatic downloads and social media use contributed to rapid data consumption, urging Nigerians to optimise phone settings to curb quick exhaustion.

Mike Ndukwe, general manager, Network Performance and Quality Assurance at MTN Nigeria, said a 15-second TikTok video could consume between two megabytes (MB) and 20MB, depending on its resolution.

According to Ndukwe, the same video could consume about two to three megabytes in standard definition, compared with up to 15MB or more in high definition, depending on the content and settings.

‘The request itself uses less than one MB. Where data is used is when TikTok delivers the video to you, and it actually depends on the resolution of the video,’ he said.

He said 4G and 5G networks enabled higher-resolution video streaming, which could increase data consumption when applications automatically selected higher picture quality.

Ndukwe advised subscribers to enable data-saving features, reduce video resolution and disable automatic playback where possible.

He also identified WhatsApp group chats, status updates, automatic media downloads and chat backups as sources of data consumption.

According to him, media files shared in multiple WhatsApp groups could consume data when they downloaded automatically, even if subscribers did not deliberately open them. He advised users to disable automatic media downloads, restrict background data usage and configure applications to download large files only when connected to Wi-Fi.

MTN provides data-usage information and alerts through its MyMTN application to help subscribers monitor their consumption, Ndukwe said.

He added that the company offered MTN FiberX as an unlimited data option for customers with high data requirements, subject to applicable terms and conditions.

Peter Akpatason, chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Communications, said the initiative would help consumers understand data consumption and address misconceptions about the telecommunications industry.

Akpatason acknowledged the investment required to operate telecommunications networks but said further investment was needed to improve service quality.

Ndukwe said data depletion generally resulted from users’ online activities or phone settings.

‘We’re not stealing your data. However, we completely understand how it feels, especially right now, where every naira counts. But the honest answer is that data is not taken without an action, either your action or your phone,’ he said.

We spent N4.05trn on power in 2025 – MTN CEO

MTN Nigeria says it spent about N4.05 trillion on power alone in 2025, citing electricity and infrastructure costs as factors affecting telecommunications operations, as it urged subscribers to optimise their phone settings to reduce data consumption.

Karl Toriola, chief executive officer of MTN Nigeria, said operators incurred costs providing electricity, transportation and other infrastructure needed to maintain telecommunications sites.

Speaking at the company’s Data on Trial event in Abuja on Monday, Toriola said these costs should be considered in discussions about data prices in Nigeria compared with other countries.

‘In this country, as well as some other African countries, we are providing power and transportation to all of our sites. The cost of electricity, for instance, is higher here than in the UK,’ he said.

He said Nigerian operators used telecommunications equipment and technologies similar to those deployed in Europe and the United States, including fourth-generation (4G) and fifth-generation (5G) networks.

Toriola said the event was designed to help consumers understand how phone settings, online activities and application preferences affected data consumption.

Aliko Dangote’s estimated fortune rose to $53.2 billion on Monday as shares in Dangote Cement surged to a record high, pushing the company’s market capitalisation above N20 trillion for the first time, ahead of the closing of his refinery’s initial public offering (IPO) on Tuesday.

BusinessDay’s analysis of Forbes’ real-time billionaire tracker showed that Dangote, Africa’s richest man and founder of Dangote Group, added $1.2 billion to his estimated wealth on Monday, taking his net worth to $53.2 billion as of October 26, 2026, from $51 billion on October 20.

This means the industrialist’s fortune increased by $2.2 billion in less than a week, reflecting the combined effect of rising valuations of his publicly traded holdings and the earlier reassessment of his stake in the privately held Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The latest gain coincided with a 10 percent rally in Dangote Cement shares on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), lifting the stock to N1,222.10 per share from N1,111 and raising the company’s market capitalisation to N20.6 trillion from N18.5 trillion on Friday.

The milestone makes Dangote Cement the second most valuable listed company on the NGX and the second to cross the N20 trillion market-capitalisation threshold, highlighting the growing influence of the industrial group on Nigeria’s equity market.

The latest rally has extended the stock’s gains this year. The continent’s largest cement producer opened trading in January at N609 per share and has since advanced 100.7 percent to its October 26 closing price, reaching a 52-week high.

The surge comes as investors approach the October 27 deadline for subscriptions to Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals’ N2.15 trillion ($1.6 billion) IPO, which offers 4.1 billion shares at N525 apiece.

The refinery extended the offer period from October 13 to October 27 following approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission, citing strong investor interest and efforts to broaden participation across African markets.

In a notice announcing the extension, the company said the additional time would support market-access initiatives across African jurisdictions and help prospective investors complete account-opening, identity-verification and regulatory requirements.

MultiChoice Nigeria is lowering the entry point for DStv and GOTV to N6,000 a month and introducing a dedicated football package covering every Premier League and UEFA Champions League match, as the pay-TV operator seeks to make its offering more affordable and defend its subscriber base against streaming competition. Nigerian Banking Launch

From left: Tope Oshunkeye, Senior VP, Communications; Caroline Oghuma, Executive Head, Corporate Affairs; Kemi Omotosho, Chief Executive Officer; and Onyinye Ezenwa, Executive Head, Customer Value Management, all of MultiChoice Nigeria, a CANAL+ company, at the press briefing announcing the launch of new DStv and GOtv packages at the MultiChoice HQ in Lagos, on Tuesday.

The new packages, which take effect on November 5, will reorganise DStv into Starter, Select, Sports and Premium, while GOtv will offer Easy, Starter, Select and Sports. The changes mark the company’s most significant product update in years, according to MultiChoice.

The N6,000 Starter package will include Africa Magic+ and SuperSport KICKOFF, which will show the Premier League Match of the Week and selected UEFA Champions League fixtures. The Select package, priced at N11,000, will offer movies, local and international series, children’s channels and selected sports.

At N21,000, the new Sports package will carry every Premier League and Champions League match, alongside WWE and UFC, while retaining the general entertainment channels available on Select. Premium will add sporting competitions such as Formula 1, MotoGP, Grand Slam tennis and golf majors, as well as international series on M-Net.

The company also announced a refreshed movie offering featuring M-Net Movies+, M-Net Stars and M-Net Legends, which it said would provide more blockbuster films, faster access to new releases and fewer repeats.

‘Our focus is on giving subscribers better value and access to the entertainment they love,’ Kemi Omotosho, chief executive of MultiChoice Nigeria, said in a statement on Tuesday. Nigerian Banking Launch

The changes form part of the wider strategy of Canal+, MultiChoice’s parent company, to simplify its product portfolio across Africa and make its services more responsive to customer preferences.

The Federal Government’s Independent Investigative Committee probing the deaths of detainees in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State has found that 33 persons, including 14 minors, died from asphyxiation caused by overcrowding, poor ventilation, heat stress and dehydration. Nigerian Banking Launch

The committee described the deaths as a preventable custodial tragedy, attributing them to unlawful detention conditions, failure of duty of care, disregard for repeated distress calls, inadequate supervision and wider systemic deficiencies within the corps.

Jonathan Kure, Chairman of the 10-member committee and former Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, disclosed the findings on Tuesday while presenting the panel’s report to Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, in Abuja.

The committee was constituted following a directive by President Bola Tinubu to investigate the deaths of suspects arrested during operations against suspected illegal mining activities in Niger State.

A Retirement Savings Account, or RSA, is the account in your name that holds your pension. Each month, your employer takes your share from your salary, adds its own share, and sends both to the custodian that holds money for your Pension Fund Administrator (PFA). The PFA invests it until you retire.

The deduction is shown on your payslip. The remittance does not. Many workers find out only when they change jobs or when they retire that money taken from their pay never reached the RSA. By then, the employer may have closed, and the years of growth on that money are gone.

How big is the system?

Nigeria’s pension assets reached ?31.8 trillion on 31 August 2026, up from ?28.04 trillion in January, according to PenCom data. There were 11,391,008 RSA holders. Nigerian Banking Launch

Not all of that money arrived on time. At a PenCom conference for journalists on 14 October, Director-General Omolola Oloworaran called the withholding of deducted contributions a breach of trust and of the law. She said recoveries from defaulting employers had reached ?36.6 billion as of July 2026. Keep in mind that is only the part PenCom recovered. Nobody knows the full amount that was deducted and never sent.

What should be going in?

Under the Pension Reform Act 2014, the minimum contribution is 18% of your monthly emoluments. Your employer pays at least 10%. You pay at least 8%.

Monthly emoluments are not your total pay. They are at least your basic salary plus your housing and transport allowances. If your salary is not split into those parts, the contribution is based on your gross salary.

Let’s use an example. Tunde is an accountant in Ibadan. His basic salary is ?250,000 a month, his housing allowance is ?100,000, and his transport allowance is ?50,000. His monthly emoluments are ?400,000.

His 8% is ?32,000. His employer’s 10% is ?40,000. Together, ?72,000 should reach his RSA every month. That is ?864,000 a year.

The law also sets a deadline. The employer must remit within seven working days of paying salaries. If it is late, it owes a penalty of at least 2% of the unpaid amount for each month the default continues, and that penalty is paid into the employee’s RSA.

What does a missed year cost?

Say Tunde’s employer has a cash problem and stops remitting for 12 months while still deducting his 8%. ?864,000 never reaches his account.

The loss is bigger than ?864,000, because that money would have been invested for decades. Tunde is 35. For illustration, assume his fund earns 10% a year until he retires at 60. That rate is an assumption, not a forecast. ?864,000 growing at 10% a year for 25 years becomes about ?9.36 million, because 1.10 raised to the 25th power is about 10.83.

One missed year in his thirties costs him roughly ?9.4 million at retirement. That is why you check now and not at 59.

How to check your RSA

Get your statement. Most PFAs have an app or a web portal, and they also send statements by email. If you have never logged in, call your PFA with your RSA PIN and ask them to set up access.

Line up 12 payslips against the statement. For every month, look for a credit that matches the amount deducted plus the employer’s share. A credit that arrives two months late is a problem too, because the money sat with your employer and earned nothing for you.

Check the amount, not just the date. If your employer calculates 18% on basic salary alone, Tunde’s monthly contribution would be ?45,000 instead of ?72,000. Over a year, that is ?324,000 short, and it looks normal unless you do the sum.

If something is missing, write to HR or payroll first and ask for the remittance schedule for the missing months. Put it in writing. If you get no answer, write to your PFA and ask it to raise the matter with the employer. If that fails, report the employer to PenCom. Keep copies of your payslips. They are your evidence.

Two other things on your statement

Look at which fund you are in. Workers under 50 are in Fund II by default. At 50, you move to Fund III, which holds fewer shares. Workers under 50 can choose Fund I, which can hold more shares, if they want more growth and can live with bigger swings. There is also Fund VI for those who want non-interest investments. Make sure the fund matches your age and your choice.

Then check your personal details. Your name, date of birth, BVN, NIN and next of kin should match your other records exactly. PenCom says it has cut approval times for retirement benefits from as long as 21 months to 48 hours. That speed only helps you if your records are clean. A spelling difference between your RSA and your bank account can still hold up your money. The loss is bigger than ?864,000, because that money would have been invested for decades. Tunde is 35. For illustration, assume his fund earns 10% a year until he retires at 60. That rate is an assumption, not a forecast. ?864,000 growing at 10% a year for 25 years becomes about ?9.36 million, because 1.10 raised to the 25th power is about 10.83.

One missed year in his thirties costs him roughly ?9.4 million at retirement. That is why you check now and not at 59.

How to check your RSA

Get your statement. Most PFAs have an app or a web portal, and they also send statements by email. If you have never logged in, call your PFA with your RSA PIN and ask them to set up access.

Line up 12 payslips against the statement. For every month, look for a credit that matches the amount deducted plus the employer’s share. A credit that arrives two months late is a problem too, because the money sat with your employer and earned nothing for you.

Check the amount, not just the date. If your employer calculates 18% on basic salary alone, Tunde’s monthly contribution would be ?45,000 instead of ?72,000. Over a year, that is ?324,000 short, and it looks normal unless you do the sum.

If something is missing, write to HR or payroll first and ask for the remittance schedule for the missing months. Put it in writing. If you get no answer, write to your PFA and ask it to raise the matter with the employer. If that fails, report the employer to PenCom. Keep copies of your payslips. They are your evidence.

Two other things on your statement

Look at which fund you are in. Workers under 50 are in Fund II by default. At 50, you move to Fund III, which holds fewer shares. Workers under 50 can choose Fund I, which can hold more shares, if they want more growth and can live with bigger swings. There is also Fund VI for those who want non-interest investments. Make sure the fund matches your age and your choice.

Then check your personal details. Your name, date of birth, BVN, NIN and next of kin should match your other records exactly. PenCom says it has cut approval times for retirement benefits from as long as 21 months to 48 hours. That speed only helps you if your records are clean. A spelling difference between your RSA and your bank account can still hold up your money.

GetBundi Education Technology is targeting economic independence for 1,000 Nigerians living with disabilities through a three-month digital skills training programme designed to expand their access to employment, freelancing and entrepreneurship.

The fully funded initiative, sponsored by the Ford Foundation, runs from October 2 to December 31, 2026, and will train participants in digital marketing, graphic design or video editing, while providing legal education on their rights under Nigeria’s Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018. Nigerian Banking Launch

The programme seeks to address limited access to commercially valuable digital skills and inadequate knowledge of legal protections against discriminationParticipants will receive live classes, practical assignments, masterclasses, mentorship and internet data support, with the organisers selecting courses they say can create income opportunities and be learned using smartphones.

Speaking at the virtual onboarding ceremony Osita Oparaugo, founder of GetBundi, said the initiative was designed to move disability inclusion beyond advocacy by giving participants practical tools to earn a living.

‘Disability does not mean inability. No Nigerian should be denied the opportunity to succeed because of a disability. We are not here to offer sympathy. We are here to create opportunities,’ Oparaugo said. Nigerian Banking Launch

He said the programme aligns with GetBundi’s mission to provide STEM education to post-primary students, equip African youths with job-ready digital skills and promote digital literacy.

The focus on digital marketing, graphic design and video editing reflects the potential of these skills to support freelance work, business development and access to clients beyond participants’ immediate locations.

Ike Ogbuebile, chief executive officer of Encase Consulting and chair of The Uplyft Group USA, who delivered the keynote address, said the skills could help participants pursue global employment opportunities, secure freelance contracts or establish businesses.

However, the programme’s organisers said acquiring technical skills alone would not be sufficient if participants remained unaware of their rights or lacked the knowledge to challenge discriminatory treatment.

GetBundi has engaged legal professionals to deliver eight practical classes on the Disability Act, covering how participants can identify discrimination, document violations and seek appropriate remedies.

Emma Nwagwu, a legal practitioner at Emma Nwagwu and Co., said the sessions would translate the law’s provisions into practical knowledge that participants could apply in their daily lives. Read Newspapers

‘It is difficult to exercise a right you do not know exists. Our goal is to move the Disability Act from legal language into practical knowledge that participants can apply in everyday life,’ Nwagwu said.

The legal component is intended to complement the technical training by helping participants understand the protections available to them as they seek jobs, engage clients and participate in economic activities.

Representing ChiChi Aniagolu, regional director for West Africa at the Ford Foundation, Uloma Obike, her special assistant, said the foundation supported initiatives that reduce inequality and expand economic opportunities for marginalised communities.

She described disability inclusion as an economic multiplier, arguing that access to skills and opportunities could enable people with disabilities to become independent earners, entrepreneurs and contributors to economic growth. Read Economics

‘At the Ford Foundation, our mission centers on advancing inclusion, reducing inequality, and strengthening the agency of marginalized groups,’ Obike said.

Oparaugo urged participants to focus on completing assignments and practising their newly acquired skills, stressing that the programme’s objective extended beyond issuing certificates to developing capabilities that could generate sustainable income.

He also warned beneficiaries against paying anyone for access to the training, stating that the programme was completely free and that no member of the GetBundi team was authorised to demand payment.

Manchester United’s alarming slump has exposed the limits of the manager’s early revival, raising questions about his tactical identity, his authority and the club’s ability to sustain progress.

Michael Carrick’s first months in charge of Manchester United offered something the club had struggled to find for years: a convincing reason to believe that its decline could be reversed without another expensive managerial reset.

Replacing Ruben Amorim midway through the 2025/26 campaign, Carrick steadied a team that had looked short of direction and guided it to third place in the Premier League. His side won 12 of his first 17 league matches, restoring confidence and giving supporters a glimpse of a more coherent United.

By October, however, the optimism had evaporated. United’s 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth on Sunday extended their winless run to eight matches in all competitions. After eight Premier League games, they had seven points from one win, four draws and three defeats, their worst return at this stage of a season since 1986/87.

The contrast is stark. Carrick had appeared to possess the managerial equivalent of a magic wand. Now, he must explain why the transformation has proved so difficult to sustain.

The immediate temptation is to conclude that United were deceived by a short-lived bounce under a new manager. But that would overlook an important distinction: the qualities that made Carrick’s initial spell successful have not necessarily disappeared. The question is whether he can reproduce them in a different set of circumstances.

From revival to regression

Carrick’s early achievement was not simply a run of favourable results. United looked more comfortable playing to their strengths, with greater emphasis on transitions, quicker attacks and the technical quality of their forward players.

The third-place finish gave the club a compelling argument for making his appointment permanent. Continuity appeared preferable to another managerial experiment, particularly after years of upheaval.

Yet the new campaign has exposed the difference between improving a team in the short term and building a reliable system over an entire season.

United’s league record tells part of the story. Their only victory in the opening eight matches came against promoted Ipswich Town, whom they beat 5-2. They lost 2-0 away to Hull City, drew against Everton, Fulham, Tottenham and Leeds, and suffered defeats against Manchester City and Bournemouth.

These results reveal more than a failure to collect points. They suggest a team that has struggled to impose itself against different opponents, whether facing an organised defence, protecting a lead or responding to pressure.

The European campaign has added to the strain. Defeats against Atlético Madrid and Como, alongside a loss in the League Cup to Brighton, have reinforced the impression that United’s problems extend beyond the Premier League table.

Carrick’s early record created expectations that the club’s underlying problems had been solved. The current evidence suggests they were contained rather than eliminated.

Overall Manchester United managerial record

Michael Carrick’s managerial career at Manchester United has been marked by contrasting fortunes, from an impressive interim spell in 2026 to a difficult start to the 2026/27 season.