Gary Neville believes Michael Carrick has secured a spot in the Champions League with a 3-2 win over Liverpool, putting him in pole position to become the next Manchester United manager.
Coach Carrick’s team got off to a strong start, scoring two goals in the first 15 minutes, but were caught up early in the second half.
But it was Koby Mainu, the man the Manchester United manager recalled to his team, who scored the winning goal and sealed the Red Devils’ return to Europe’s elite competition.
The win was Carrick’s 10th in 14 games since replacing Ruben Amorim. His 32 goals are the most in the Premier League over this period and Neville believes his former team-mate deserves a permanent spot in the spotlight.
Manchester United have risen to the top of the table since Michael Carrick took over as manager.
“There’s nobody really involved in this job. He’s put himself in pole position with what he’s done,” Neville said after the match.
“I think something has emerged that gives Man United fans the reassurance that they are in a safe place. Man United need some stability. We haven’t had that in the last few years and I think he will bring that in the sense that everyone has faith in him.”
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Highlights of the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool.
“The fans like him, the players obviously like him, and the owners will trust him too. Next year he will play 55-60 games in the Champions League, but he will definitely not play in the first round of the cup competitions. Then everything will require a different level of management and monitoring. It is much more difficult. Does he have the experience? Does he have the work-rate to rely on?”
However, Neville is still not convinced that Carrick is the right fit long-term, suggesting the Old Trafford side need a head coach with experience of winning top titles.
“Some people say, ‘Why don’t we give him a one-year contract and give him another year to further stabilize the situation?’ I don’t think you can argue with that,” he added.
“But if we could get a world-class manager who won titles, Manchester United would probably pursue that avenue because the last five managers haven’t had any experience at a super club. Michael would be one of those managers who doesn’t get enough of that.”
Carrick: Let’s see what happens next.
By qualifying for the Champions League with games remaining, Carrick has smashed the club’s main objective and strengthened his claim to follow in the footsteps of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2019.
However, the 44-year-old still did not want to be drawn into discussions about his future.
Carrick told Sky Sports: “It’s not a question of what I like or what I don’t like. It’s not within my control. Everything is going very well. We know the situation and where we are.”
“We are happy with where we are at the moment and we want to get even better. Let’s see what happens next.
“I’m not thinking about that at the moment.”
Carragher: ‘Carrick will never win a title with United but he should get the job’
Jamie Carragher is also not convinced that Carrick’s profile is the right one to get United back into the top flight. However, he believes the former midfielder should be given another year to stabilize the situation at the Theater of Dreams.
Carragher said: “I don’t understand the idea that Michael Carrick is the guy who is going to get Manchester United back to winning the Champions League or the Premier League. I think he should get the job.”
“It’s not because he’s done so well and deserves it. Manchester United need to do what’s best for them. But they can be laughed at given where they’ve been in the last couple of years and what they’ve achieved. They finished 15th last season.”
“What he did was to calm everything down. Given the size of the club, Manchester United should always be in the Champions League. That’s what he did. He did what he had to do.”
“I think they can do it for another year. I don’t think they’ll be ready for the challenge this summer. They need another year of this and there’s a risk of changing someone who doesn’t cause problems and doesn’t fall out with the players… but is it stable enough for Manchester United? I think it’s stable for 12 months.”
Keane does not support Iraola’s move to United
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Roy Keane has questioned whether Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is suitable for Manchester United, questioning whether the Spaniard has done “enough work” at the Cherries.
Roy Keane says he is still not convinced Andoni Iraola has what it takes to be the next Man United manager.
Bournemouth’s head coach will step down from his current role this summer and the Cherries are well placed for back-to-back top half finishes under the Spaniard.
But while Keane has been impressed with Iraola’s work on the south coast, he says the demands are different at Old Trafford amid rumors that the Spaniard could be in contention if United bosses decide to move on from Carrick.
“I don’t know if he’s done enough yet,” the former United captain told Sky Sports. “I’m sure United are looking at him and his contract is up, but could we see him coming to Man Utd? Probably not.
“It depends on the authority, but Bournemouth’s authority is different to Man United. At Man United there is a threat of winning the title, but[at Bournemouth]it is important to continue winning games while selling players and bringing in revenue.”
“Bournemouth have different pressures than Man United. Would he be an option? I don’t know. I was asked if I saw him coming to Man United, but maybe not.”
“But he did a great job.”
