Michael Carrick is poised to become the full‑time manager of Manchester United for the upcoming campaign, according to former Liverpool stalwart Jamie Carragher. United are edging ever closer to a return to the Champions League after they secured a 2-1 victory over Brentford at Old Trafford on Monday, tightening their grip on a qualifying spot.
With only four Premier League fixtures remaining, the Red Devils sit in third place, a comfortable eleven points ahead of sixth‑placed Brighton. That margin means they could lock in European qualification as early as next weekend when they host long‑time rivals Liverpool. Since stepping in as interim boss in January, Carrick has overseen nine wins in thirteen matches, a run that has impressed many observers.
Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports, said he expects the former midfielder to retain the job after delivering a string of "sensational results". "He will definitely be Manchester United's manager next season – there is no doubt about it – and you can't argue that he doesn't deserve it," Carragher asserted. "Those are the kind of results you expect from a title‑contending side, or at least a team fighting for the top of the table." The former Liverpool defender went on to note that United are currently free from the pressure of European fixtures, but that the lack of such commitments does not diminish the quality of Carrick's achievements. "The pressure isn’t on United right now because they don’t have European games, but anyone could look at the results and see that no one could have done better under the circumstances," he added.
Harry Maguire, speaking to Sky Sports about Carrick's impact, highlighted the confidence boost that the recent wins have provided. "The results speak for themselves," Maguire said.
"When Michael first arrived we faced two tough fixtures against Arsenal and Manchester City, and we managed to take all six points. That gave the squad belief. We now know we can score from anywhere and we are improving our defensive shape as well." Maguire also contrasted the current form with the period under former manager Rúben Amorim, noting that United used to lose many matches by narrow margins.
"Under Amorim many games felt like 50/50 and we often ended up on the losing side. Now we are stronger at both ends of the pitch – we defend better and we are more clinical in attack," he explained. Gary Neville, on his podcast, praised Carrick's tactical flexibility and his ability to extract maximum performance from the existing squad. "Since Carrick arrived United have collected 29 points in 13 games – that’s an outstanding record," Neville remarked.
"The first two games against City and Arsenal were spectacular, and even when the team hasn't played at that same level, they still manage to get results. That’s the mark of a good manager." Neville added that Carrick appears to be thinking beyond the immediate season, considering the long‑term future of the club. "He talks about the long‑term future, even if he isn’t there at the end of the season, which suggests he sees himself staying on," Neville said.
"His tactical nous allows him to adapt mid‑game, as we saw against Brentford when he changed the system and salvaged the win." Carrick himself acknowledged United's improved standing after the Brentford win, emphasizing that the team is now in a favourable position heading into the decisive clash with Liverpool. "It’s another win and we have a big game next weekend. We’ve put ourselves in a good spot," he told Sky Sports.
"We could have scored more, but at this stage of the season it’s all about results. After the Leeds defeat we needed to bounce back, and we did that with two solid performances." 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 reflected on the performance, saying, "We could have added a few more goals, but the important thing was to secure the points. The season is now entering its final phase and every result matters." Looking ahead, United's upcoming encounter with Liverpool at Old Trafford is billed as a potential title‑deciding fixture, and a win could virtually guarantee a Champions League berth. The atmosphere surrounding Carrick’s prospective appointment has intensified, with fans and pundits alike debating whether his interim success will translate into a permanent role. If Carrick does become the permanent manager, he will inherit a squad that has shown resilience, tactical adaptability, and a renewed belief in its ability to compete at the highest level.
The challenge will be to maintain consistency, manage the inevitable pressure of a club of United's stature, and navigate the added demands of European competition should they qualify. In summary, the consensus among former players and analysts is that Michael Carrick has earned the right to lead Manchester United into the next season.
His record as interim manager—nine wins in thirteen games, a significant points haul, and a noticeable uplift in both defensive solidity and attacking fluidity—has convinced many that he is the most suitable candidate to take the reins permanently. The final test will come in the forthcoming showdown with Liverpool, a match that could cement United’s return to the Champions League and solidify Carrick’s status as the club’s next full‑time manager.