16 points out of a possible 18 in the Premier League. This is Michael Carrick. Now it’s time to stop looking at the United legend as a lightweight manager, there are games like the one against Everton away from home that illustrate what Carrick brings out in the player – in a United game that has made goalkeeping legend Edwin van der Sar nostalgic: “This is Man Utd games as we remember it!”
United boss Ratcliffe and the gang should not rush, and will not make the decision on who will lead the Red Devils next season until after the end of the season. Thomas Tuchel recently extended his contract with England and has already turned down the United job on a previous occasion. Carlo Ancelotti extends with Brazil. And Luis Enrique? Signals are being sent from Paris that the reigning Champions League champion does not see Manchester United as a club for him. If there is no extension with PSG, a return to Barcelona will tempt more, it is reported.
READ: Alexander Sørloth leaves decision to others after agreement with his next club
Zinedine Zidane is said to have a verbal agreement in place to lead France after the World Cup. Thomas Frank has previously met with Ratcliffe, but made himself out of the question after the peel as Tottenham manager. Oliver Glasner has stood as one of the favourites, but the last, tenacious season at Crystal Palace has shown the German is nothing extraordinary either.
Then there is Roberto de Zerbi, job-seeking and unemployed after his Marseille exit. The Italian did well at Brighton, solid at Marseille, but is the type that hardly fits into Ratcliffe and the gang’s profile on the United manager who leaves player purchases and sales to the administration. Liverpool steered clear of De Zerbi as Klopp’s replacement, United should probably take the signal and steer clear.
What about Gareth Southgate, the former England national team manager, one of Ratcliffe’s former favourites? Well, the Englishman had success with England (without making it all the way to the trophy table), but hasn’t led daily training sessions and matches every single week since 2009 with Middlesbrough.
For us, the process of Ratcliffe and the gang of “spending time”, where one of the big coaching profiles is initially wanted, becomes a game for the gallery. Michael Carrick is the coach who has the football the players understand and love, and who wins games in the Premier League. The 0-1 win against Everton is very strong. When you add that the goalscorer is Benjamin Sesko, and United’s £74 million investment has delivered 3 goals in their 5 games on the pitch under Michael Carrick, then it shows that Carrick is the coach who integrates the most recently arrived players into the team for deliveries.
Read on F7: Sørloth surpasses even Luis Suarez!
“We definitely had to work hard, yes! I want to give credit to Everton who made it difficult for us, and made us have to defend our own box on a lot of corners, but our attitude and the way we defended around our own box as a team was top class, and the fact that we secured a clean sheet gave us the three points – and a fantastic goal. A good counter-attack, and a good finish by ‘Ben’,” Carrick said after the game.
For us, Manchester United must return to a coach who puts Man Utd above himself, has a football that gives results in the Premier League, exploits the players’ strengths, creates an energy that gives the belief that “we can beat everyone”, can show victories against the best and the weaker clubs, and who will never push for an exit when the going gets tough. to collect compensation and “flee”.
This is Michael Carrick. This is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. For us, the choice is now between the two United legends. Forget the so-called biggest profiles. They are not in for the long run.
