Michael Carrick was recently asked if Manchester United could mount a late charge for the Premier League title.
With a game in hand on league leaders Arsenal, Manchester United sit in third place in the Premier League, just 13 points behind Mikel Arteta’s side and only eight behind Manchester City, despite sacking Rúben Amorim just two months ago.
Michael Carrick, who has been appointed head coach until the end of the season, has won six out of his first seven games in charge of the club this season; he was also unbeaten during his interim stint after Ole Gunnar Solsjkær was sacked.
Before the trip to Newcastle United this evening, Carrick was asked if he believed United could mount a late charge for the Premier League title. He said: “It’s definitely a glass half-full more what you can achieve than the negative side.
“That’s what half-time was today [Sunday], those moments, how it’s going to go both ways, but you’ve got to take the positive one. Of course, being realistic, we have to win a lot of football matches for that to happen.
“We’ll do what we’ve been doing and go one at a time. We’ve got one now and then a bit of a break before Villa and we’ll give everything we’ve got on Wednesday night.”
The response to Carrick’s comments
United fans will no doubt be excited by Carrick’s comments. While it remains unlikely, it’s a big positive that he isn’t ruling out a late charge, although former Spurs player Jamie O’Hara disagreed with the United head coach. However, O’Hara did state that if Carrick stayed, it could be possible next season.
“He’s not gonna rule it out. Is he? A Man United manager. You never rule out winning the title. That’s the ambition of that football club, and he’s done a great job,” O’Hara said on Sky Sports.
“When I heard the comments, I thought, is he talking about next season? Next season, I wouldn’t rule it out [winning the Premier League]. I really wouldn’t. I think they can be really strong. I think if he gets the job, there’s signs of good players.”
He continued to say: “I think he’s [Carrick] a very good manager. I said it early doors, he’s got a great background staff. He knows the club, he’s done a really good job. But they’re playing one game a week, and they’re doing well right now. Next season’s different. They’re going to be in four competitions.
“They’ll finish third [this season]. Man United will finish third, but for them to talk about winning the title, not only have they got to win every single game, Arsenal and Man City have got to fall apart.
“That’s not gonna happen. Arsenal are not going to lose three games. I just don’t see that happening. They’re not going to lose three games. Man City are not going to go and lose three games.”
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Could United really win the league next season?
It’s no secret that Carrick is winning many United fans over, and some now believe he should be awarded the full-time position at the end of the season. And if so, could United really win the league?
Read More: £40 million Premier League star hints at Old Trafford dream amid Man Utd interest
In short, yes. It’s not impossible.
United have a very talented squad, which will likely be added to during the summer. If Director of Football Jason Wilcox can continue his impressive recruitment, United could have one of the best squads in the Premier League.
As for their competitors, Arsenal are already starting to drop off as more teams begin to understand their set-piece approach, leaving them without their biggest threat. And Manchester City are still struggling to manage without Rodri regularly, while other injuries plague the rest of the side.
They will be back next season, but so will United.
This season, it’s almost certainly not going to happen, but next season? Never say never.
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