Is Michael Carrick The Perfect Permanent Fix To Save Man Utd?

Manchester United continue to delay their decision on who will become the club's next permanent manager, with Michael Carrick's appointment far from certain.

Carrick was named interim manager through the end of the season, stepping in after Darren Fletcher's brief two-game caretaker spell following the club's split with Ruben Amorim in January. In that period, he has guided the team to eight victories from 12 Premier League outings and has virtually locked up a Champions League spot for next campaign.

While the role appeared to be Carrick's to lose after reports last month suggested no other candidates had been approached, the position isn't firmly his just yet.

The Guardian reports that the final decision on the managerial appointment will not come until the season concludes. Director of football Jason Wilcox is overseeing the process and is "intent on waiting."

Speaking back in February, following three straight victories to open his tenure, Carrick admitted he is "loving" the role, while also acknowledging the uncertainty and insisting he is "not getting too carried away."

Why Man Utd Should Hire Carrick

"He's coaching his way into very strong contention.

"He hasn't managed a Manchester United/Premier League transfer market — that's something they'll have to consider."@David_Ornstein discusses Michael Carrick's chances of being given the Manchester United job on a permanent… pic.twitter.com/vlgJAphNB2

There is no real replacement for actually being in the role, and Carrick is already living it.

His influence has been remarkable. United have accumulated more points than any other side in the Premier League since his appointment in mid-January. The consistency — or glaring absence of it — that proved so damaging under his predecessor Ruben Amorim has been swiftly restored.

Carrick is praised for stripping things back and making the game clearer for his players. Amorim arrived with ambitious tactical concepts that had driven his success in Portugal, yet they never translated at Old Trafford. There has been a revival of the "United DNA" — built on high-energy, aggressive football, quick wide players and sharp counter-attacks. That said, not every display has been polished, but the side that once buckled under pressure now shows far greater resilience.

Compared to the shortcomings of Louis van Gaal, Erik ten Hag and Amorim, Carrick — a United player for 12 years (2006–18) and a coach for three more (2018–2021) — has demonstrated that a genuine understanding of the club carries real weight.

Former player Ole Gunnar Solskjær, despite never lifting a trophy, remains United's most reliable post-Sir Alex Ferguson manager in Premier League terms, finishing third and second in his two complete seasons at the helm.

Even accounting for his limited top-level managerial experience — his only permanent role was three seasons at Middlesbrough, where he fell short of the key goal of promotion — Carrick's breadth of experience makes him a credible candidate. It's worth remembering that Pep Guardiola had no top-flight managerial experience before Barcelona handed him the reins in 2008, nor did Zinedine Zidane when he took charge at Real Madrid eight years later.

In that context, Carrick is certainly not in the same bracket as someone like Liam Rosenior arriving — and departing — Chelsea.

Who Else Could Become Man Utd Manager?

Should Manchester United's hierarchy opt against giving Carrick the permanent role, the alternative options remain unclear.

The Red Devils would be banking on Mauricio Pochettino — a long-standing target — choosing not to extend his tenure with the United States men's national team beyond the World Cup. Julian Nagelsmann would represent a considerable risk and would come at a steep price given his contract as Germany manager runs until 2028.

Andoni Iraola is set to become available after deciding to depart Bournemouth, but could be argued to be a less natural fit than Carrick at this moment, having also only ever managed clubs outside the traditional top tier. Oliver Glasner would face a similar step up, though the Austrian does bring the advantage of trophy-winning experience.

Names such as Cesc Fàbregas — another gamble — and Jürgen Klopp carry far too strong associations with fierce rivals to be viewed as realistic contenders.