Michael Carrick is poised to become the full‑time manager of Manchester United for the upcoming campaign, according to former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher. The Red Devils are edging closer to a return to the Champions League after a 2-1 triumph over Brentford at Old Trafford on Monday, a result that has tightened their grip on a qualifying spot. With only four Premier League fixtures left, United sit in third place, sitting eleven points ahead of sixth‑placed Brighton, and they could secure European football as early as next weekend when they host rivals Liverpool. Since taking over as interim boss in January, Carrick has overseen an impressive run of nine victories in thirteen matches.
Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports, argued that the string of "sensational results" makes it inevitable that Carrick will retain the job beyond the temporary stint. "He's going to be the Manchester United manager, certainly next season, no doubt about that – and you can't say he doesn't deserve it," the former defender said.
He added that the performances under Carrick resemble those of a title‑contending side, noting that the current squad is delivering results that would be expected from a championship‑winning team. Carragher also highlighted that the pressure on United is relatively low at the moment because the club is not yet involved in European fixtures, but he believes no other manager could have produced better outcomes given the circumstances. The former Liverpool star praised Carrick’s adaptability, contrasting it with the criticisms aimed at his predecessor, Rubén Amorin, who was often faulted for an inability to adjust tactics. "The biggest criticism of Rubén Amorin was that he never adapted; Carrick has shown he can adapt," Carragher said.
Harry Maguire, speaking to Sky Sports, offered his perspective on Carrick’s early success. He explained that the confidence boost from the results was palpable among the players. "We had two tough fixtures when Michael first came in – Arsenal and Man City – and we managed to take six points.
Everyone believes in it now, we have gathered together, and we know we can score from anywhere," Maguire said. He also noted that the team’s defensive shape has improved, allowing them to transition more quickly across the pitch and become more compact in both halves of the field. Maguire continued, "The results speak for themselves.
Since the manager arrived, the formation changed and we started picking up points. Under Rubén we were often 50/50 and ended up losing, but now we’re better at both ends – we defend better and we’re more clinical in attack." Sky Sports' former player‑turned‑analyst Gary Neville, on his podcast, echoed the sentiment that Carrick is extracting the maximum from the squad. He pointed out that United have amassed 29 points from the 13 games under Carrick, a remarkable tally that includes impressive displays against both Manchester City and Arsenal.
"Those two performances were fantastic, and while we haven’t reached that height every game, we’ve learned to grind out results even when we’re not at our best," Neville observed. He praised Carrick’s tactical flexibility, noting that the manager was willing to adjust his approach mid‑game, especially after a shaky first half against Brentford. "When United’s compactness wasn’t as good in the first half, Michael saw that and made the necessary changes," Neville explained.
Carrick himself acknowledged United’s improved standing after the Brentford victory, describing the win as another step toward Champions League qualification. He warned that the upcoming clash with Liverpool would be a "big game for different reasons" but expressed confidence that the team is in a strong position. "It’s another win.
We’ve got an important game coming up on the weekend, so we can look forward to that. It’s a big game for different reasons but we’ve put ourselves in a good position," Carrick told Sky Sports.
The Brentford match saw the visitors fight back in the second half, with Mathias Jensen finding the net late, but United held firm to preserve the three points. Carrick admitted United could have scored more, yet emphasized the importance of results at this stage of the season. "It’s the time of year when it’s a results business. We needed to take the points and we’ve had a fantastic two games on the back of the Leeds defeat," he said.
Looking ahead, United’s path to the Champions League now hinges on their performance against Liverpool at Old Trafford. A win would virtually guarantee a top‑four finish, while a draw or loss would keep the race open but still leave them within striking distance.
The club’s board will be watching closely, but the consensus among pundits, former players, and the squad itself is that Carrick has earned the right to be appointed permanently. His blend of tactical acumen, adaptability, and the ability to galvanise a group of talented yet inconsistent players has revived optimism at a club that has struggled for direction in recent years. If Carrick does secure the job long‑term, the next challenge will be to sustain the momentum, manage the added pressure of European competition, and continue to develop the young talent that has begun to flourish under his guidance. The upcoming weeks will be crucial in determining whether his interim success can translate into a lasting legacy at Manchester United.