Michael Carrick is poised to become Manchester United's permanent manager for the upcoming campaign, according to former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher. United have inched closer to a return to the Champions League after a hard‑fought 2‑1 victory over Brentford at Old Trafford on Monday, which tightened their grip on a qualifying spot.
With only four Premier League fixtures left, the Red Devils sit third in the table, sitting eleven points clear of sixth‑placed Brighton. A win against arch‑rivals Liverpool next weekend could effectively seal their place in Europe’s elite competition for the following season.
Since stepping in as interim boss in January, Carrick has guided United to nine wins in 13 matches, a run that has drawn high praise from pundits. Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports, was unequivocal: "He will be the Manchester United manager next season, no doubt about it, and you cannot argue that he doesn’t deserve the role. The results have been sensational – the kind you expect from a title‑contending side." The former midfielder highlighted the context of United’s situation, noting that the club currently faces less pressure because they are not juggling European fixtures. Yet he added that the quality of Carrick’s performances would be hard to surpass: "Given the circumstances, nobody could have delivered better results." Harry Maguire also weighed in, explaining why Carrick’s tenure has been so effective.
He said, "The confidence that comes from winning is massive. When Michael first arrived we had two daunting games – against Arsenal and Manchester City – and we managed to secure six points.
That boosted belief across the squad. We now trust that we can score from any position and we are still refining our shape, especially the speed of our transitions across the pitch." Maguire continued, "The statistics speak for themselves.
Since Michael took over, our form has improved dramatically. Under the previous manager, Ruben Amorin, we were often left hanging after a draw.
Now we are winning both boxes – defending stoutly and being clinical in attack." Former United captain Gary Neville, appearing on The Gary Neville Podcast, praised Carrick’s impact. "If Michael were to be honest, he would say he is extracting the absolute maximum from this group.
Twenty‑nine points from thirteen games is an outstanding record, especially after those brilliant displays against City and Arsenal. Those two games were spectacular, and while we haven’t quite hit that same height since, we are still finding ways to win even when the performance dips – and that is a hallmark of a good manager." Neville added, "Michael thinks about the long‑term future of the club, even if he isn’t there at the end of the season. He has shown tactical flexibility – he can adapt his system mid‑game, as we saw against Brentford when he shifted tactics after the first half to tighten the defence and protect the lead.
That kind of agility is essential at this level." Carrick himself acknowledged United’s improved standing after the Brentford win. "It’s another win, and we have a crucial match this weekend against Liverpool. It’s a big game for many reasons, but we have put ourselves in a strong position," he told Sky Sports.
He also admitted that United could have added more goals, but emphasized the importance of securing points at this stage of the season: "It’s a results‑driven business now. After the disappointment at Leeds, we needed to bounce back, and we have done that with two solid performances." The Brentford match saw the visitors pull one back late through Mathias Jensen, but United held firm to preserve the three points. The win not only moved them closer to Champions League qualification but also reinforced the belief that Carrick’s leadership could be the catalyst for sustained success.
Across the media, there is a growing consensus that Carrick’s interim spell has revived United’s fortunes. His ability to motivate the squad, implement effective tactical adjustments, and deliver consistent results has convinced many that he is the right choice to lead the club into the next season.
If the Red Devils maintain their momentum, they could finish the campaign with a coveted European spot and a solid foundation for future challenges under Carrick’s guidance. The upcoming clash with Liverpool will be a litmus test for Carrick’s long‑term prospects. A positive result would not only cement United’s Champions League aspirations but also provide further evidence that the club’s hierarchy should confirm Carrick as the permanent manager.
As the season draws to a close, the narrative surrounding Manchester United is shifting from uncertainty to optimism, with Michael Carrick at the centre of this transformation.