Manchester United are in the same hole again. Will they bend or cling to what they have?
With the appointment of Michael Carrick as interim coach, he was hired with plans for the remainder of the season. But who could have imagined it would work out this well?
With five wins from six games (the only blemish being a draw against West Ham), Carrick became the most popular man in Manchester’s red half. Their season is back on track and the future suddenly looks bright again.
Manchester United remain unbeaten under manager Michael Carrick
Manchester United are in their best form since Michael Carrick took over.
“If he gets United into the Champions League, there will be a lot of excitement around him that he should be appointed,” Sky Sports’ Gary Neville said before the 1-0 win over Everton.
After the game he spoke of the possibility of third place and both he and Jamie Carragher believed United could qualify for Europe’s top competition next season.
So where does that leave Carrick?
The problem is that United were here before in 2019 with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. They offered him the full-time job after a successful spell as interim manager, but he left after two-and-a-half years.
Erik ten Hag had a similar “stick or twist” feel last season. The Dutchman managed to stay at the club beyond the summer of 2024, but it turned out to be just a suspended sentence. United will no doubt be keen to avoid another wasteful period like this.
Neville recognizes that too. “I am not against Michael’s appointment. I love him dearly,” he added. “But I think Manchester United should hire a top-class manager.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Speaking on Monday Night Football, Gary Neville believes Manchester United need to pursue a “best in class” for their next head coach.
“The last two appointments have involved young, inexperienced managers. Ole Gunnar Solskjær 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.”
Who is the best option available?
United are currently in near perfect form under Carrick. But if you’re looking for a more experienced option, there are only a few to choose from.
According to Sky Sports data following the sacking of Ruben Amorim, there are only eight managers who better fit United’s DNA. Solskjær is the only player without a job at the moment, but United turned him down in January to sign Carrick and are unlikely to go for him again.
But things have now changed and Transfer Room data suggests that Unai Emery is the best fit for the current United squad. It will be interesting to see if Sir Jim Ratcliffe can lure him away from Aston Villa.
Another suitable candidate is Antonio Conte, but that discussion has come and gone as he is not only in Napoli. The Italian had been linked with joining United ahead of Ten Hag’s arrival at Old Trafford, but Neville insisted it was “not right”.
Neville described Conte as a “killer”, someone who would do the job for a year or two and then leave under cloud cover.
Enzo Maresca is also a highly regarded option for United, but there are reports that he is likely to take up a role at Manchester City if Josep Guardiola leaves the Etihad Stadium.
Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will be used as a left-fielder, but that would be too risky, while Eddie Howe is sitting in a similar scenario to Emery, but will the English manager be tempted to lead the next Manchester United era when he has already done a good job at Newcastle?
Returning to Sky’s data, Roberto Martinez is another candidate who could be available this summer after Portugal bid for the World Cup. However, if Portugal reach the later stages, the Spaniard could be unavailable until around four weeks before the start of the season. Will it be enough time to start a new era?
Other options don’t pop out either. Could Stuttgart manager Sebastian Hoeneß (who was sacked from the Europa League after finishing fourth in the Bundesliga) also be a risk like Amorim? Diego Simeone will not be poached from Atletico Madrid and Carlo Ancelotti will not be poached from Brazil.
Carrick is certainly the safer option as Frank Lampard is very risky, Louis van Gaal has retired and Marcelo Bielsa has emerged as Conte’s other ‘killer’ option.
The next 20 names on the list are realistic candidates. These include Marco Silva, Andoni Iraola and Oliver Glasner, all of whom are out of contract in the summer and have Premier League experience.
While Xavi and Roberto De Zerbi are currently out of work, Unai Emery would also be another interesting option if he can be persuaded to leave the Aston Villa project.
There is also an option for Gareth Southgate, especially with former England assistant coach Steve Holland already joining the coaching staff. But again, this comes with risks. So are there better options than Carrick?
As for Carrick…
Of course, there is no guarantee that Carrick will join United full-time even if an offer is made. “I wondered if Michael would really say no,” Neville said last month.
“He’s the type of guy Michael is who always works in the interests of the football club. He might do that or he might say, ‘No, I won’t put my name out there because I feel comfortable enough and I have very good relationships with the players and the coaching staff.’
But United’s win at Everton rubber-stamped the idea that Carrick and United were a perfect fit from a DNA perspective. Benjamin Sesco’s winner was a return to the type of quick-fire teams seen in previous generations when Sir Alex Ferguson won the title.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Gary Neville has suggested Benjamin Sesco should start Manchester United’s next Premier League game given his recent form and believes his celebration after scoring the winning goal against Everton was a message to United manager Michael Carrick.
Neville said after the match: “It was a great, quick, devastating counter-attack.” “When you think of the classic Manchester United goals, that’s what you see. And that (the goal at Everton) was just amazing as you can see.”
Brian Mbeumo’s goal against Manchester City was a similar breakthrough, and Sesco’s winning goal against Fulham had the feel of a counter-attack.
Sesco has also scored three late goals in his last four games, and the return of ‘Fergie time’ only adds to Carrick’s appeal to those craving the old days at United.
Sesko “Delivers Solutions in Multiple Ways”
Super-sub Sesco scored another goal off the bench against Everton on Monday Night Football, his third in four games.
Since Carrick took over as interim head coach, Sesco has primarily been an impact secondary. He scored the winning goals against Everton and Fulham, and scored a late equalizer against West Ham.
As a result, there have been growing calls for the Slovenian striker to start, especially against a team where Man United are expected to dominate possession and face deep defence.
However, as the win against Everton proved, it would be unfair to classify Sesco as simply a target man, more effective against deep, compact defences.
He was clocked at speeds of over 21 miles per hour on the way to the goal, and a source from Sesco’s camp insisted that “games like this highlight something broader.”
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Take a closer look at Benjamin Sesco’s incredible shot against Everton – where does his top speed rank in the Premier League this season?
“His pace over distance, willingness to run beyond the finishing line and composure in front of goal are equally dangerous in the open phase, especially when the game stretches and spaces arise,” a source told Sky Sports News.
“He consistently anchors the centre-backs, stretches the defensive line and creates a vertical threat that changes the way opponents defend.
“He provides solutions in a variety of ways: attacking crosses, playing with his shoulder, finishing early in transition.”
Under manager Ruben Amorim, Sesco struggled to find his feet and at times it looked like his qualities were not utilized effectively, as in the away game against Leeds in January when he was used as a target man.
However, Sesco has made great progress since the Portuguese manager left, and Carrick said after the 1-0 win over Everton that Sesco has taken big steps forward in recent weeks.
His transformation is another feather in the new administration’s cap. So do Manchester United want the old or the new? They have the one they borrowed in Carrick, but will they renew?
