Michael Carrick is enjoying a dream come true with Manchester United’s fourth successive win, with some suggesting he should be given the role permanently
Michael Carrick made a huge impact at Manchester United (Image: Getty Images)
The debate over Michael Carrick’s future at Manchester United continues. The former Red Devils midfielder was appointed last month as Ruben Amorim’s replacement on a deal until the end of the season.
Mr Carrick’s idea was to steady the ship before stepping down in favor of a better-known name. However, he has outperformed his initial assignment, leading the club to four consecutive wins, and many are now calling for him to be given the role at the end of his term.
A number of former United stars have weighed in on his potential appointment, with some suggesting he should be given a shot-in. Other former Red Devils insisted club leaders should stick to their original plans.
Having said that, let’s take a look at what all the former United stars have said about Carrick’s future at Old Trafford.
read more: Rio Ferdinand criticizes Michael Carrick’s views on Roy Keane: ‘I don’t understand’read more: Michael Carrick just one win away from haircut, viral man Great reaction as a United fan
Follow Man United’s FB page! Keep up with the latest United news and more on our dedicated Facebook page
michael carrick
Let’s start with the person himself. Carrick has been regularly asked for his thoughts on Man United’s long-term hot seat.
And while he may have ambitions, he has kept them close to his chest. In a speech last week, he said:
“We want to be successful and we want the club to be successful at the end of the season – whether it’s me or someone else.
“We can’t control it at this stage and we’ll see what happens, but it’s certainly important to improve the team and make Manchester United stronger. Short-term results won’t change that.”
Carrick regularly speaks out about his role (Image: Getty Images)
Should Mr Carrick be appointed on a permanent basis? Share your thoughts in the comments section below
Gary Neville
Pundit Gary Neville has never been afraid to voice his opinion on what’s happening at Old Trafford and Carrick’s future is no different. Immediately after the midfielder was given the job, he claimed to only carry out his original duties.
“I hope he does really well,” Neville said on the Stick to Football podcast. “For both Michael and the club, it is inconceivable that Michael will remain in the position beyond this season.
“If he wins every game, you know, we could be sitting here in a season where he did incredibly well and the fans are good and they always think they’re in the Champions League, fifth or whatever. If we have a good run, that could happen and we could all be swayed by that.
“To be honest, I think at the end of the season when you have (Mauricio) Pochettino, (Thomas) Tuchel and (Carlo) Ancelotti, you should (look at others).
Gary Neville gives insight into United’s search for a new manager (Image: Getty Images)
“I said about Ancelotti, I feel purely because he’s 66 years old, but he probably has the best job in the world right now. He probably has one more job left at club level.”
“If there’s one person who has the patience, the calm and the Premier League experience.”
Meanwhile, Neville has since revealed that the Red Devils are already in the process of finding Carrick’s eventual replacement. He said: “I asked the club what the official position of the football club is in terms of what you are saying publicly to other people.
“I have to say their answer was pretty good. They actually said they were now starting the process and looking for another manager, which I thought was right.”
roy keene
Neville opposes Carrick’s long-term appointment and can count Roy Keane among his colleagues who agree with him. In his first speech after his arrival, the Irishman said United needed the “best of the best”.
He has since softened his stance, but still believes United should look elsewhere. “I don’t think it’s the right decision, but good luck. Yeah, but I’m going to stick to my guns. I’ve said my point and I think he has the job and if he gets it in the summer, it’s going to be, ‘Listen, go for it’, but to be an interim manager and manage United aiming to win the league over the next two, three, four, five years, whatever it is, is a different animal.”
“I think you can get a better manager than Carrick, absolutely. But he’s doing a good job and I think it’s perfect timing. Even if he doesn’t get the United job, this result will be like Ruud[van Nistelrooy]he will get another job, maybe another manager in the Premiership.”
“But just because it’s going well at United doesn’t mean he’s going to do well at other clubs. He got players back. It was all a sliding door moment, which is great for him. And he took advantage of that.”
Roy Keane was brutal about Michael Carrick (Image: Getty Images)
Rio Ferdinand
Former defender Ferdinand responded to the claims and suggested Keane’s comments cannot be taken at face value. He said: “No matter what Michael Carrick does, no matter how well he does it, and even if he takes the job on the back of a great end to the season, there is still a risk.”
“There is an element of risk, but there is an element of risk for everyone whose name comes into the hat.
“I don’t know of any guy in any life who comes in with an opportunity to do well and takes the first step to get a job opportunity and beats it. And hopefully, he keeps winning, and at that moment, he’s won four out of four, and people are like, ‘No, but he shouldn’t get it.’
“I don’t understand Roy. I have to be honest. I don’t see how you can disagree so much.”
Jaap Stam
Former defensive colleague Stam also shared his thoughts on the Red Devils’ search for a new manager, suggesting former Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi would be a good candidate to replace Carrick.
He said: “I like De Zerbi very much because of his performance with Brighton and now with Marseille.The way he plays in the team, he plays possession-based football, so he’s very good with the ball.”
“He also puts players in certain positions that make it very difficult for the opponent to press. You know, he comes forward and attacks. He scores a lot of goals and sometimes he concedes, but as a manager you know that.”
“But I think he’s also a good manager. I think he’s also good with the players, giving them confidence and giving them the attention they need, not just the starting XI, but the other players in the team. And that’s what you need at a big club like that. So if they choose him instead of Carrick, I’d be very happy.”
Jaap Stam and Dimitaor Berbatov give their thoughts on United’s managerial decision (Image: Getty Images)
Dimitar Berbatov
Berbatov, a former striker who enjoyed success with him at Old Trafford, is also keen to see Carrick succeed, but urges patience before making any rash decisions.
“Of course, I’m a little biased, because I played with him (Carrick) and I want him to get the job, but let’s wait until the end of the season. And if they go the way they are, of course, why not? ” Berbatov told ESPN FC.
“We have seen what happened before with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. I think it was a similar story so let’s not jump to conclusions yet. Let’s enjoy each game to see how United are improving and then wait to see what happens at the end of the season.”
“He (Carrick) is in this position to show he’s capable of doing these things. In the games we’ve seen so far, everything is just happening for the team and for him. It’s going to be a test until the end of the season. Then we’ll see if Michael gets the job permanently.”
Louis Saha
Meanwhile, fellow former striker Louis Saha wants Carrick to stay permanently.
He said: “I’m looking forward to giving Michael the opportunity. He’s doing very well. He’s a very hard-working guy, but he’s also humble. At the moment the results are coming, but not just the results, but when you look at the team’s play and performance, you can see the change right away. He’s had the biggest impact since Sir Alex Ferguson.”
“He provides an answer to the question about the next manager. I think inevitably they need to think very, very, very seriously about Carrick.”
“We know the expectations are very high and sometimes both sides want to have some sort of conversation and see a long-term plan. Do they understand that this is a spell where everything will be fine for Carrick? Who knows how he will react when put under more pressure.”
Louis Saha believes Carrick should be appointed permanently (Image: Getty Images)
“So maybe he needs to be challenged in that sense to be considered for a full-time role. I don’t know.
“What I see is that he understands the DNA of the club. He’s probably been under pressure not as a manager but as a player. He’s been part of the coaching staff so he understands how managers have reacted in the past. So he understands. He’s not a rookie. So I think he deserves that position, but when names like Ancelotti and Zidane come in, it’s kind of a different ball game.”
owen hargreaves
The last former United star to speak was former midfielder Owen Hargreaves, who claimed his form had declined under Carrick and it was impossible to deny him the role permanently.
“I don’t know why I couldn’t give it to him,” Hargreaves told the MEN. “Was there any point in working so hard? You can hire an elite manager, but that doesn’t guarantee success.
“What Michael is doing is very impressive. The fans are happy and that’s important. The players are happy and that’s important, but the most important thing is that the team wins.”
“United had big managers on the bench. In Van Gaal and Mourinho, they had two of the greatest managers of the last 10 years, after Pep and Ancelotti. With big names comes greater expectations.”
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check it out whenever you like. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
Sky Sports Premier League and EFL package discounts
£49
£35
sky
Get the deal here
Sky has reduced the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 on their bill and offering more than 1,400 live matches from Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will broadcast at least 215 live Premier League matches next season, with an increase of up to 100 more.
