Carrick’s Temporary Leadership Sparks Debate at Manchester United

After Ruben Amorim’s dismissal earlier this month, Manchester United appointed Michael Carrick as the interim manager for the remainder of the season.

Ahead of the Manchester derby, United legend Gary Neville expressed skepticism about Carrick’s long-term potential to lead the club. He suggested that names like Thomas Tuchel or Carlo Ancelotti could be more suitable candidates to guide the club into the future.

Neville remarked on the Stick to Football podcast, “I hope he does really well. However, there should be no consideration for Michael to take the job permanently beyond this season, both for his sake and for the club’s.”

He continued, “Even if he wins every game, we might find ourselves in a situation where he has performed exceptionally well, and fans are optimistic about the Champions League spots. But we need to consider other options at the end of the season, including Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel, and Carlo Ancelotti.”

Following a commanding victory over Manchester City, Carrick praised his players for their efforts, describing the win as a “special day.” He acknowledged the challenges the team faced in their preparation and expressed pride in how the players managed the emotional intensity of the game.

“There was so much good in the day. I was curious about how well we could come together given the compressed preparation. The players handled the information we provided exceptionally well, and they were eager to perform. To deliver such a performance was indeed a special day,” he stated during an interview with BBC Match of the Day.

Despite the excitement following United’s victory over City, some, like former England striker Daniel Sturridge, felt that Carrick should be considered for a permanent role. Sturridge commented on Sky Sports, “Why not? Why do you need to look elsewhere?”

However, Roy Keane reminded viewers that Carrick’s tenure was still in its infancy. He remarked, “He’s only been in charge for three days. It was the ideal situation for him. Manchester City were not at their best, and they benefited from a bit of luck.”

As Sturridge suggested that Carrick was “calm,” Keane countered, “Calm down even more. You’re suggesting he should be given the job!”

The recent victory allowed United to close the gap to fourth-placed Liverpool to just one point. Their next challenge will be against Premier League leaders Arsenal. Despite a season characterized by inconsistency, Keane emphasized that Carrick should aim to secure Champions League qualification for next season.

“What’s his target, to finish fourth?” Keane questioned. “That should be the goal for United. We shouldn’t be wondering if they can finish fourth. Given the current state of the league, that is realistic. If Carrick achieves that, even if he doesn’t get the permanent role, it will likely open doors for him elsewhere, as people will notice how he has managed the team. He has been composed, and United played positively, which is a standard many would have pursued in his position.”