Manchester United to Face Lausanne-Sport in Closed-Door Carrick Friendly
Manchester United will use the international break to stage a behind-closed-doors friendly against Lausanne-Sport, giving Michael Carrick an opportunity to work with his squad away from public scrutiny after a difficult opening to the 2026-27 season.
The date and location of the match have not been disclosed. Lausanne are part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS multi-club group, and the fixture will provide United with additional playing time before domestic competition resumes.
United seek a response after difficult start
- United have taken only one Premier League win and stand 12th, matching the club’s poorest start to a league campaign. The same early-season record was posted under Ruben Amorim last year and by Sir Alex Ferguson in 1992-93.
- Their problems have extended beyond the league. United were knocked out of the League Cup by Brighton after letting a two-goal lead slip at Old Trafford.
- A surprise loss to Hull City and a Manchester derby defeat also added to the pressure. United were unable to beat a 10-man Manchester City side after a disputed goal in the match.
- The side entered the break following a draw at Fulham, which left them in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
Matheus Cunha, who scored at Craven Cottage, felt Fulham had displayed greater energy after the interval. Carrick did not agree with the suggestion that United’s physical condition had faded late in the game.
The United manager said the team had finished strongly, continued to press for a result and showed no sign that fitness was a concern.
Lausanne and other INEOS teams also struggling
Lausanne arrive in similarly poor form. The Swiss club are bottom of their domestic division after losing five of their first nine league fixtures.
The difficult results are not confined to United and Lausanne within the INEOS network. Nice sit 14th in Ligue 1, close to the relegation places, while United’s women’s side have fallen to ninth in the Women’s Super League under Eva Olid after a slow start.
Demanding October awaits
- United return to action at Old Trafford against Tottenham on October 10, with both clubs attempting to improve on troubled Premier League starts.
- They then face Atletico Madrid in a significant European test.
- Further October fixtures against Leeds United, Como, Bournemouth and Chelsea will follow before the month is out.
The Lausanne friendly is therefore intended as preparation for a run that could quickly define United’s season, with Carrick needing improved results once the international break ends.
