The INEOS boss discussed Carrick’s future ahead of Manchester United’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa on Sunday.
Manchester United’s co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has claimed that he thinks current Red Devils boss Michael Carrick is doing an “excellent job”, while refusing to rule out hiring the manager permanently at the end of the 2025/26 season.
Read: Former Manchester United star sounds the alarm after watching Bodø/Glimt waltz over Italy’s best club
Since succeeding Ruben Amorim in January, Carrick has led the 20-time Premier League champions to six wins in eight games, with only one defeat away to Newcastle United on March 4.
United are currently in third place in the division going into round 30, which will secure them Champions League football if they finish in the same place at the end of the season.
Despite Carrick’s current contract expiring after the conclusion of the current season, many fans, experts, and former players have suggested that the former midfielder should get the job on a permanent basis.
Ultimately, a final decision on this will be up to United’s football department – Omar Berrada, Jason Wilcox and Ratcliffe.
And on Saturday (14 March), Ratcliffe was pressed on Carrick’s future by Sky Sports’ Craig Slater during the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, to which the United co-owner replied: “He [Carrick] is doing an excellent job. Yes, absolutely.”
However, he refused to reveal whether Carrick would get the role on a permanent basis, saying, “Don’t go into it.”
The conversation then turned to the prospect of United qualifying for the Champions League.
Ratcliffe explained: “Yes, we’re obviously thinking about it. But there are still seven or eight games left. Still a while longer.”
“Michael Carrick is doing an excellent job” 👀
Sir Jim Ratcliffe talks to Craig Slater about his hopes for both Mercedes and Manchester United, but refuses to comment on whether Michael Carrick can continue as head coach after this season 🔴
Meanwhile, earlier this week, Carrick’s former teammates Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney discussed the prospect of the former midfielder becoming United boss beyond the current season.
“I think if they get Champions League football, [Carrick] should get the job,” Rooney said on Stick to Football.
“He’s putting himself right up there if they’re looking for new managers – he’s definitely putting himself in pole position, I think.”
Neville then gave his thoughts and suggested that United should keep their options open.
“Manchester United need to pursue another manager right now, [based] on the fact that you don’t know how the results are going to go,” the former right-back said.
“But little things like Thomas Tuchel re-signing for England are starting to take away the options for Manchester United and they don’t hurt Michael’s chances of getting the job.
“If he gets United to the Champions League, there will be a lot of sentiment for him to be hired.
“I’m not against him being hired – I love him very much – but I think Manchester United should go for the best class of manager available.
“They have had young and inexperienced managers in the last two elections. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has come in before as a former player, and it didn’t work out in the end.
“So I feel that removing as much risk as possible is the right option.”
United face Champions League-chasing Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday (March 15) before a trip to Bournemouth on March 20, ahead of the upcoming international break, which leaves the Red Devils without a game for 24 days.
Read on F7: Barcelona in meetings to sneak in the “Haaland queue”
