Manchester United, who don’t have a history of smart choices, have been warned against ‘utterly ridiculous’ Michael Carrick decision – as the Red Devils prepare to appoint their next permanent manager
Former England duo Joe Cole and Owen Hargreaves have sent a clear message to Manchester United management regarding the club’s managerial situation. After an upswing in form under Michael Carrick, experts insist that not hiring the interim boss on a permanent basis would be a huge blunder by the Old Trafford club.
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Temporary success requires permanent reward
Carrick has transformed the atmosphere at United since taking over from Ruben Amorim, and the calls to give him the reins full-time are getting louder. After a huge 1-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, in which Matheus Cunha netted the winning goal, the Red Devils have created a significant gap in the battle for Champions League qualification. The win is Carrick’s eighth win in 12 games – a streak that has earned him 26 points, more than any other Premier League manager in the same period.
Former United midfielder Hargreaves believes the evidence is now irrefutable. In a statement to TNT Sports, he claimed that the club’s search for a new coach should begin and end with the man currently sitting on the coaching bench. “He’s proven he can do the job,” Hargreaves said. “Since he took over, they have been the best team in the Premier League. They have beaten Manchester City and Arsenal – the two best teams in this division. He has shown that he can set up a game plan based on counter-attacks, and today they did something similar.”
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Experts rage against potential bypassing
The prospect of United looking for other options in the summer has been met with disbelief from those who follow the club’s tactical development. Chelsea icon Cole was particularly relentless against the idea of United management bypassing Carrick in favour of an external appointment. “Realistically, I think the job is secured,” he said. “It’s absurd to think about not giving him the job. He has come in, taken more points than anyone else in any other team. What else can you do? It would just be absurd – it wouldn’t be a chance to take, it would just be absurd [not to give him the job], he’s proven himself.”
Hargreaves echoed those sentiments, adding: “Carrick understands the players and that’s probably why he’s there. He understands the pressure of playing for this football club. He puts the guys in the right positions where they have to play to succeed, and they are better in all areas. So not giving him the job, having given it to him—probably at a time when you wouldn’t have expected it—would be completely ridiculous.”
Carrick opens up about his future at Old Trafford
While the experts speak on his behalf, Carrick himself has been careful to act professionally, although he has not hidden his love for the role. The former England international has admitted that he wants the job for the long term, although he is at the mercy of the board’s final decision. “I love being here. I understand the situation – it’s a little bit out of my hands,” Carrick admitted. “You want to be part of nights like this, part of special things, to build a team. I don’t have a time frame.”
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