Michael Carrick’s superb start to his second spell as Manchester United’s caretaker manager has led to talk of the Englishman being offered the job on a permanent basis. The club’s legendary former midfielder replaced Ruben Amorim at the start of January.
The Red Devils were enduring a difficult period, and Amorim’s dismissal came with the mood extremely low at Old Trafford. Carrick has been tasked with steadying the ship, and he has undoubtedly exceeded expectations.
Carrick has won four of his first five games in charge and remains unbeaten over his two tenures as interim coach. The only slight setback thus far was a 1-1 draw away to a resurgent West Ham United side on Tuesday night.
All eyes are on INEOS and whether they will keep the 44-year-old when his contract expires at the end of the season. That might depend on whether he guides his team back to the UEFA Champions League.
Manchester United will go big if Carrick goes
There is growing support among fans and former players for Carrick to continue as Manchester United manager beyond this season. He made the perfect start when he led the Reds to a 2-0 win over Manchester City in the Manchester Derby.
The Englishman became the first tactician to work out Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal at the Emirates this season. A 3-2 win against the Premier League leaders made clear that he deserves to be in the running to remain in the dugout long-term.
According to Rob Dorsett of Sky Sports, if United decide not to appoint Carrick permanently, they will turn to “one of the biggest names in world football.” There have already been several high-profile managers linked, including England manager Thomas Tuchel and Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti.
It’s said that the club will not go down the route of targeting an up-and-coming coach as they did when turning to Erik ten Hag in 2022 and Amorim in November 2024. It seems the higher-ups have learned from their mistakes and realise the pressure that comes with the job.
Better the Red Devil you know
There is a feeling that Carrick might just be the long-term solution for Manchester United, given his impressive spell thus far. He knows the club from top to bottom and his impact extends beyond the upturn in form.
Sun Sport gave an insight into the improvement in mood at Carrington, with players taking a liking to Carrick’s approach. A source explained the difference between Amorim’s training sessions and those of the caretaker manager:
“Amorim’s sessions were gruelling but boring. He would focus so much on tactical detail and the players would be out on the training pitch for a long time, but sometimes without intensity. The information they had to take onboard could leave them feeling mentally drained.
“Under Carrick it’s been very different. Shorter, sharper sessions which the players are enjoying more. They think the performance against City was a direct result of Carrick’s approach.”
The change has reaped rewards with players publicly declaring their admiration of Carrick and his philosophy. Barcelona-linked Lisandro Martinez, in particular, waxed lyrical about the former Middlesbrough boss, saying that he had “touched my heart.”
Carrick might not have the resume of a Tuchel or Ancelotti, but he understands what is required of a United manager. He hasn’t been fazed by the role’s magnitude, and if he achieves Champions League qualification, it will make it extremely difficult for INEOS to resist making him permanent head coach.
Previous world-class wobbles
When Sir Jim Ratcliffe acquired a minority share in the club back in late 2023, the British billionaire insisted his plan to restructure Manchester United was to hire the “best in class.” That meant at board level and on the touchline, although Amorim’s appointment didn’t quite align with that thought process.
The Red Devils are still feeling the effects of Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement 13 years on, and even the most glamorous of appointments haven’t worked out. Louis van Gaal was regarded as one of Europe’s very best after winning titles in Spain with Barcelona, Germany with Bayern Munich and the Netherlands with Ajax.
Jose Mourinho was one of Ferguson’s most difficult managerial opponents and his resume spoke for itself. A Champions League winner who assembled the best defensive Premier League team in history at Chelsea.
Neither Mourinho nor Van Gaal was successful during their reigns at Old Trafford. Various factors prevented the pair from restoring the club’s glory days, but the football on display left fans unsatisfied, and results eventually led to the sack for both.
Carrick has shown glimpses that he can get this United team playing the United way. He has a backroom staff working wonders with the squad, including Steve Holland, who worked alongside Mourinho during the Portuguese’s incredibly successful first reign at Chelsea.
There is proof that the ‘best in class’ isn’t always the solution, and perhaps the answer is staring right at Ratcliffe. The club’s structure is a perfect fit for Carrick, and moving for an elite option will undoubtedly lead to issues that arose under Van Gaal and Mourinho.
