Michael Carrick’s chances of becoming the full-time Manchester United head coach have now been revealed amid his temporary appointment.
Michael Carrick will take charge of Manchester United until the end of the season, with just Premier League fixtures to play after the FA Cup exit at the hands of Brighton and Hove Albion.
Darren Fletcher was appointed as interim head coach following Rúben Amorim’s departure, but he was only given two games in charge before being replaced by his former teammate and midfield partner Carrick.
While United looked better under Fletcher than under Amorim, the former Scotland international couldn’t register a win in his first two games of senior management. As it was under the Portuguese, United’s defence seems to be the biggest issue at the club. This shows the attacking reinforcement worked in the summer, but it will be a concern for Carrick.
Jason Wilcox is unlikely to bring in many new additions in the January transfer window, although United will still be hoping to mount a charge for the Champions League places. New signings could be the difference United need to overtake Newcastle United and Brentford, who sit immediately above them in the Premier League table.
Carrick will know new signings are unlikely until the summer window, but they won’t help him during his brief managerial stint at Old Trafford, unless he becomes the permanent boss next summer.
Carrick head coach chances revealed
Carrick’s only full-time job as a head coach, so far, has been with Middlesbrough in the Championship. He took over the club while at the bottom of the league, before making a serious promotion charge.
They finished fourth with 75 points but lost in the play-off semi-final to Coventry City, despite dominating the tie over both legs. In the following years, Middlesbrough finished in eighth and 10th respectively, despite losing several key players, including top scorer Chuba Akpom.
Many have been impressed with his managerial record, and he could be a contender for the full-time position come the summer.
On his chances of becoming a full-time head coach, Ben Jacobs told Transfer Insiders: “I’m told that he’s well aware this is only a temporary role, so nothing that he can earn permanently, even if Manchester United get Champions League football.”
However, even with Jacobs’ ruling, United could be forced to stick with Carrick if none of their preferred options become available.
Waiting until the summer indicates Omar Berrada and Wilcox may have a plan for their new head coach, but their ideas haven’t gone to plan since their Old Trafford arrivals, as confirmed by Erik ten Hag and Rúben Amorim.
Would Carrick be another Solskjær?
After replacing Jose Mourinho mid-season, Ole Gunnar Solskjær was handed the full-time job after an impressive run as interim head coach. He remained in charge until 2021, when Carrick took over as caretaker before Ralf Rangnick’s arrival.
Solskjær provided short-term relief for United fans, including a brilliant run away from home, but his managerial style meant he could never become more than just that.
Carrick, however, who was a coach under Solsjkær, could become a long-term head coach at Old Trafford. His balance between man-management and the tactical side of the game is exactly what Soljskær lacked.
If he can impress between now and the end of the season, Carrick could be a real contender for the full-time role in the summer.
Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is streamed live every Thursday at 14:00 pm (GMT) on the United View YouTube channel.