- Former Manchester United player backs Michael Carrick
- Rio Ferdinand praises interim head coach
- What does Carrick need to do to ensure he receives the job
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has once again thrown his support behind former teammate Michael Carrick, insisting that the current head coach should be handed the role on a full-time basis.
United secured yet another emphatic victory last night, taking a significant step towards reclaiming UEFA Champions League football for the first time since 2023, as they defeated rivals Chelsea 1-0, courtesy of a Matheus Cunha goal in the first half.
That result now leaves Carrick with 26 points from 12 games, having dragged the Red Devils from seventh to third in the league table.
United now sit just two wins away from securing Champions League football, though it is increasingly likely they may not even require that many.
Ferdinand Backs Carrick After Chelsea Win
On his X account following the 1-0 victory, Ferdinand wasted little time in praising Carrick. He asked for other candidates to be presented who are more worthy than the Englishman:
“Show me who else is out there, and realistically gettable, that’s going to come in and you’re going to go absolute surefire hit. For all that he has done at the moment there’s far too many people I think going ‘yeah but… I don’t think he should be the one because this or because that,’ or not even giving a reason.”
He added:
“Michael Carrick’s still going to have some question marks. I’m not saying he’s going to go in there and if he gets the job he’s going to be perfect and 100% easy, but he sure has put himself in a position that’s making it really difficult for anybody, I think, to go… he can’t get it because of that, he shouldn’t get it because of that, and justifiably say that.”
Ferdinand is not the only former United star who has backed Carrick for the role. Owen Hargreaves also insisted the current coach deserves to be appointed permanently:
“He’s proven that he can do the job. Beaten Man City and Arsenal, the two best teams in the division. He’s shown he can set up a game plan on the counter.”
He added:
“Carras understands the players and that’s probably why he’s there. He understands the pressure of playing for this football club. He put the boys in the right position where they need to play to succeed and they’re better in every capacity.”
The Englishman also added on that it would be “utterly ridiculous” if he were not to get the job, and that “After today and if he finishes third, I can’t see how you couldn’t give it to him. It wouldn’t make any sense whatsoever.”
Five Games Left For Carrick
United have five games remaining in the Premier League season. They are encounters with Brentford, Liverpool, Sunderland, Nottingham Forest, and Brighton & Hove Albion.
Five games remain for Carrick to prove to Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS that he deserves the role on a full-time basis. Five cup finals for the interim coach.
If he beats Liverpool and Brentford in United’s next two matches, it puts him firmly in pole position for the job. If he goes one step further and continues winning, he may well keep United in third—at which point the decision-makers would struggle to say no.
