The board appointed Michael Carrick as caretaker boss of Manchester United on the 13th of January 2026. He has the job until the end of the season, tasked with steadying the ship. The United board had planned to see who was available in the summer, after the World Cup. Pundits assumed the club’s intention, at that stage, was to appoint a bigger name with more top-level managerial experience.
However, it didn’t take long for fans to start clamouring for their former midfielder to be given the job permanently. Carrick could not have wished for a better start in terms of results. And indeed, things have continued in that vein. The latest weekend of Premier League action was just about perfect for the Red Devils.
After United beat Aston Villa, Chelsea lost at home to Newcastle, and Liverpool were held at Anfield by a Spurs side without a league win in 2026. As a result, Carrick’s men now look really well set to earn a Champions League spot for 2026/27. They boast a three-point lead over Aston Villa, the West Midlands outfit who are currently fourth. Moreover, the gap between United and Chelsea, who are currently in sixth, is six points. With just eight games left to play and the Premier League likely to have five UCL places next term, things are looking good for United.
Would a Third Place Finish Secure Carrick the Job?
Since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club, Manchester United have tried just about every different type of manager. David Moyes was the “chosen one”. Fergie himself handpicked his fellow Scot, and Moyes boasted a great record in English football of overachievement at smaller clubs. Louis van Gaal was the big-name, super-experienced option. Jose Mourinho was more of the same, the self-appointed Special One with an incredible track record of winning. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was a former player who had achieved great things in Norway. Erik ten Hag was a young manager with a big reputation who had achieved great things in the Netherlands, while Ruben Amorim was even younger and brought a very clear philosophy and identity to the club.
None of these appointments has worked for United. Ex-players talk about “United DNA” and the club’s identity as if that offers a magical solution. They tried that with Solskjaer and it didn’t work, or at least the former striker was not given enough time to make it work. However, despite that, Carrick appeals to a lot of fans because of his United background and his obvious respect for the club.
United Hierarchy Not Rushing to a Decision
There is no doubt that a large section of the United fanbase want to see Carrick made permanent boss. If the club finishes third, would that be enough to get him the job? Second place is not entirely out of the question, with Man City struggling. But would a top-three finish mean the board should back the man who played 464 times for the Red Devils?
It is impossible, and indeed foolish, to second guess what the United hierarchy will do. Sir Jim Ratcliffe recently said that Carrick was “doing an excellent job”. However, the co-owner replied “No, not going there” when asked about his chances of being appointed long-term, indicating he would not answer questions on the issue. Ultimately, time will tell if Carrick gets the job. However, he is giving himself every chance.
Carrick Delivers Brilliant Results and Statement Wins
United were seventh in the PL table when Carrick took over. Since then he has guided the club to 22 points from 27. That brilliant run has moved them up to third in the table. Moreover, it is not just the results that have been impressive, it is who United have beaten too.
As auditions go, beating the top two sides in the league in your first two games is an unbeatable start. That the wins also came against two of United’s major rivals further enhances Carrick’s appeal to both fans and the owners. The Red Devils beat Man City 2-0 first up. Next they won 3-2 at Arsenal. Among the seven wins Carrick has overseen are also victories against Everton and Villa. Therefore, we cannot say his success is down to kind fixtures.
Players Revitalised and Momentum Building
Positive results breed confidence, and right now, United are riding a wave and enjoying a virtuous circle where confidence is helping them gain more good results too. United have reverted to a 4-2-3-1 formation that helps get the best out of their classiest player. Amorim wasted Bruno Fernandes’ talents, playing him in midfield. However, Carrick has restored Bruno to a number 10 role, and he has been at his creative best.
The current boss has also got Benjamin Sesko firing, and his goals have been key to United’s revival. The Slovenian striker has netted five goals under Carrick despite the manager mainly using him from the bench.
The Geordie has also helped Kobbie Mainoo get back to his best. The youngster was something of an outcast under Amorim. However, he now looks more like the brilliant young midfielder who played 10 times for England in 2024. His midfield partner, Casemiro, has also been boosted under Carrick.
Generally speaking, the whole squad look freer, happier and better since the 44-year-old Wallsend native took over. They are playing a system with which they are more familiar. It is also one that better suits the United squad, despite Amorim’s attempts at a rebuild to fit his system. With momentum building and confidence higher than it has been for years, United are turning a corner.
But We Have Seen This Before
Over the almost 13 years since Ferguson left the job, many managers have come and gone. Few, if any, failed to have at least one good spell in their tenure. Indeed, many offered supporters real signs of hope before ultimately floundering. A stopped clock is right twice a day and an unsuitable manager can deliver a few wins, especially with a squad of hugely expensive players.
This is not to say that Carrick would be the wrong choice for United. However, the club’s board will think long and hard before giving him a long-term contract. He remains inexperienced at the highest level as a manager. Moreover, whilst he showed great promise as Boro boss, in the end, the club’s owners sacked him.
Additionally, while the Red Devils’ results have been excellent, they have not always been convincing. Four of their seven wins under the current manager have been by a single goal. On top of that, they have needed late goals several times and have not always merited the positive results they have had.
Paul Scholes recently made a comment that some fans perceived as a criticism of Carrick. The United legend subsequently explained that he meant it as a compliment. In essence, he said that his former colleague must be a good manager to get results when his side played badly. If Carrick sustains that ability to get results in the longer term, the argument might hold. However, the fear for United’s owners is that the current boss might just be riding his luck, and luck always runs out eventually.
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