Michael Carrick has won seven of his 10 games as caretaker manager and is in pole position to win the full-time job at Manchester United, with a growing consensus among experts.
Michael Carrick is doing everything he can to secure a job (Image: OLI SCARFF, AFP, Getty Images)
Michael Carrick is building a strong case to win the full-time managerial job at Manchester United, with consensus starting to form among former players about the decision that awaits the club hierarchy this summer.
Carrick was appointed caretaker manager in January, defeating former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær. He galvanized his team, scoring 23 of a possible 30 points in his 10 games in charge, helping them move from sixth to third in the Premier League.
United have announced their intention to hire a full-time manager in the summer after sacking Ruben Amorim. Director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada are leading the process, but have yet to formally speak to any candidates.
With seven games remaining in the season, the former midfielder has emerged as the most popular option as United aim to qualify for the Champions League under Carrick. Here, Mirror Football shares what a club legend has to say on the matter.
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david beckham
“I think Michael has the experience,” he told talkSPORT. “I think he has the calmness that we brought to the club. He knows the club, he knows the players, he knows how Man United play, he knows how Man United play.”
“And I’ve always liked Michael as a coach. When you watch him, there’s a calmness. There’s a grace on that side of the pitch as well. I don’t want to say elegant because I don’t know if that’s the right thing to do, but there’s a grace in the way he’s the way he is, whether it’s the way he celebrates or the way he gets angry.
“You know, all of those things are important to a manager. And I think the way he brought the team together and brought the team together was incredible. And as a United fan, I think that’s exactly what we needed.”
David Beckham is impressed with Michael Carrick (Image: Sean Clarke, Getty Images)
roy keene
He told Sky Sports: “I don’t want to give it (to him). I think there are better options. I think he’s done a very good job in terms of the games he’s played in and in terms of winning football games. He’s obviously simplified things, but he wasn’t in any danger in those games.”
“They’ve had three weeks to prepare for the game. It was a good time for him to come in and he’s done a very good job. I tip my hat to him and if he gets the job in the summer I’ll say, ‘Listen, good luck.’ But I think there are better options for the next Manchester United manager.”
In January, he said: “I’d choose Eddie Howe. I like him. I like what he’s done. He’s managed a lot of games. When his team gets going, they’ll play good football. He has his detractors, but I like what he’s done at Newcastle.”
“He’s managed 700 or 800 games. He’s still young. I love his composure. Maybe Man United need a little bit of that. We’ve seen in the past (in contracts) that we like emotional guys, but he’s got that composure. Looking at the job he’s done with Newcastle, the Champions League and winning the cup, I’d be happy to see him go there.”
Roy Keane is one of the only former Manchester United players not to support Michael Carrick (Image: YouTube/Stick to Football)
wayne rooney
“100 per cent, he should (get the job),” he told BBC Radio 5 Live recently. “I knew this was going to happen with Michael Carrick. I know him very well, I know his character and his personality.
“We needed a calm head, but we needed someone who knew the field. The players needed love and he gave it. We’ve seen the players play better, they’re more united as a team and we look like a very strong team. Why would we change?”
Gary Neville
“If he gets United into the Champions League, there will be a lot of excitement about appointing him,” he said in February. “I’m not against his appointment, I love him dearly, but I think Manchester United should hire the best manager available.”
“The last two appointments have involved young, inexperienced managers. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has appointed former players before, but it ultimately didn’t work out, so we feel the right option is to remove as much risk as possible.”
Michael Carrick is focused on the task at hand (Image: AFC Bournemouth, Getty Images)
Let us know what you think. Should Michael Carrick get the job? Comment below.
ryan giggs
“Well, I’m a little biased because Michael is a good friend of mine, but I think he’s done a great job,” he recently told Gold Star Promotions. “Confidence is up and there’s a really good feel factor here. And I think he’s developed the players in a short amount of time.”
“Well, I’m really impressed and nothing surprises me. Of course I know Michael really well as a player and now as a coach. And, yeah, I hope he gets the job.”
Paul Scholes
“I don’t know what Michael’s coaching style is, but I can imagine him being a very good people coach because he’s great with people and players,” he said on his podcast in early March. “The question about Michael is does he have experience? I know he has managed in the Championship but this is clearly different.
“Now we have the perfect player there…Ancelotti is still there and I know he is in Brazil, but he is the perfect player for Manchester United, he will make the players feel like a million bucks and he has the experience of winning trophies.
“The only question is, is he too old? That’s the only thing. Are there other players of his ilk with a little more experience? The way you judge a Manchester United manager is to look ahead and ask, ‘Can United win the league with this manager?’ You don’t need to finish in the top four, you need a manager who you think can win the Premier League.
“The great thing about a player like Ancelotti is his experience, and I think that’s to be expected, but it remains to be seen how Michael Carrick will deal with a bit of adversity.”
nicky butt
“If I were a bettor, I would put my money on Carrick becoming permanent manager,” he said in conversation with Scholes. “How can I sit here now and say he shouldn’t take the job? There aren’t that many other options. Who else would go? There’s no one who would jump for me.
“Honestly, I thought it was going to be Thomas Tuchel, but then he signed a new contract with England so that was off the table. So if you look at what Michael Carrick is doing and the other options that are out there, I think he’ll get the job now.”
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