- Former Manchester United defender praises Michael Carrick
- Carrick’s sensational run
- Will he get the job?
Former Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand has praised his former teammate, Michael Carrick, for his remarkable run of form as interim head coach of the club so far.
Yesterday, on 3 May, United and Carrick took the final step in securing Champions League football by beating rivals Liverpool, who are also chasing qualification, with the Merseyside club on the brink of asserting their place themselves.
United’s win, however, did more than just return them to Europe’s premier club competition; it moved them six points clear of Liverpool in a huge six-pointer for third place this season. United now sit six points ahead of both Liverpool and Aston Villa.
Carrick’s 14-game record now reads: 10 wins, two draws, two losses. That is 2.28 points per game, extrapolated across a 38-game season, 86 points. Enough to win the league this season.
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‘Doing the Job’ – Ferdinand Hails Carrick
Speaking on his Rio Meets X account, the United legend waxed lyrical about Carrick. He pointed out his former teammate’s record against big six clubs:
“Under Michael Carrick, Man United have beaten Man City, the best team of recent times, Arsenal, potential Premier League champions this season, Chelsea, away, world champions, and Liverpool, the current reigning champions in the Premier League.”
Ferdinand added:
“Since Carrick took over as interim, Manchester United rank first in the last ten games [correction, third by goal difference, behind Arsenal and Manchester City]. They rank first in the league guys.”
The former Red Devils defender made his stance clear:
“His record is a joke. And my mans doing the job he’s doing and being told he’s got to ‘pack-up and leave, thank you but no thanks, I’m going to go somewhere else.’ Who would do that? Not a chance.”
Though some of his claims stray from the precise numbers, there is no doubt that Carrick has injected fresh energy into the club. In fact, returning to Ferdinand’s broader point, had United overcome Leeds, Carrick would have beaten arguably all five of the club’s fiercest rivals.
Carrick’s record since taking charge reads as exceptional. No side has collected more points, though City hold two games in hand and sits five points behind across the last 14 matches. No team has scored more goals, with Arsenal and Liverpool also sitting on 27, and the Englishman has driven United up the table while securing Champions League football.
Is it Carrick?
Nothing is ever certain, especially in football. Whilst Carrick has delivered results, the job demands more than outcomes alone.
Yet he appears to be excelling across most fronts. There are, of course, areas where the Englishman must refine his approach.
Frustration surfaced in several matches this season—the Leeds defeat the clearest example—where Carrick delayed key decisions and substitutions.
He appears to have adjusted that tendency, but even in the Liverpool fixture, structural issues lingered longer than they should have.
With United 2-0 up, both Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro pushed high up the pitch, leaving a gaping void ahead of the midfield that Liverpool repeatedly exploited.
But even so, Carrick remains a young coach still early in his managerial development. Whilst that inexperience counts against him on paper, it also offers scope for growth.
Carrick should get the job. Few expected this level when he arrived. Whilst it may be a risk, football is a game of risks, the bold rarely wait for certainty.
Read: Two Man Utd Stars Shine Brightest in Champions League Qualifying Liverpool win
