Carrick Stands by Decision to Bench Iheanacho Amid Boro’s Struggles

Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick has clarified his decision to leave Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho out of the starting lineup in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Millwall. The call has sparked debate among fans, many of whom had expected Iheanacho to play a leading role after his recent uptick in form.

Iheanacho, currently on loan from Sevilla, endured a slow start in the Championship, failing to contribute a single goal or assist before the international break. However, his fortunes began to shift following a goal against Oxford United and two assists in a win over Blackburn Rovers. That momentum, though, was dented by a subpar display in a defeat to Leeds United, prompting jeers from sections of the Boro fanbase.

Despite showing public support for the Super Eagles forward, Carrick started Morgan Whittaker in the Millwall clash. When questioned about whether fan criticism played a role in his selection, Carrick dismissed the idea, calling the decision “no big deal” and emphasising that it was based purely on tactical considerations.

“I don’t make my decisions by talking around the players. It’s just one decision,” Carrick told TeessideLive. “It happens every week. All the players are important to us. I and my coaching staff consider many factors in terms of what team I pick.”

The exclusion also casts doubt over Iheanacho’s international prospects. Although he made Nigeria’s provisional squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, he was ultimately left out of the final list for games against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. The forward now has his sights set on regaining form in hopes of a Super Eagles return ahead of the Unity Cup in London.

Editorial

We need to talk about what’s really at stake here not just for Kelechi Iheanacho, but for any player caught in the limbo between club expectations and international ambition. Carrick’s explanation may seem routine, but the subtext speaks volumes about how fragile confidence and form can be, especially for players trying to rediscover their spark.

Let’s not forget that Iheanacho was brought in to add experience and attacking depth. Though his initial performances were lacklustre, his response scoring and assisting in back to back games was exactly what any manager would want. So when he was dropped again after one poor showing, it’s fair for supporters to raise eyebrows.

We’re not suggesting managers should pick teams based on sentiment. But this is a player fighting to resurrect his career, both at club and country level. The decision to bench him, even temporarily, sends mixed signals. And in a climate where confidence is everything, a missed opportunity like this could reverberate beyond a single match.

There’s also a broader issue at play here: how much patience do we allow players before writing them off? Iheanacho is 28, in his prime, and still has a lot to offer. If he’s to play his way back into the Super Eagles squad, he needs trust from his club not just applause when things go right and exile when they don’t.

Consistency, not perfection, should be the metric. Carrick’s “no big deal” comment might reflect internal calm, but from the outside looking in, every game is a chance lost or gained. And right now, Iheanacho can’t afford many more losses.

Did You Know?

1. Kelechi Iheanacho won the Golden Ball at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup, scoring six goals and providing seven assists.
2. Michael Carrick began his coaching career at Manchester United under Ole Gunnar Solskjær before taking the Middlesbrough job.
3. Iheanacho has scored in every major European competition: the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League.
4. Morgan Whittaker, who started in place of Iheanacho, was Swansea City’s top scorer before his transfer to Boro.
5. The Unity Cup in London is set to feature several top African national teams as a precursor to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.