Manchester United find themselves in a familiar crossroads as the club debates whether to hand Michael Carrick the permanent head‑coach role. The situation mirrors the path Ole Gunnar Solskjær travelled to secure his full‑time appointment, prompting endless comparisons between the two. While Carrick has brushed off the parallels as "irrelevant," the narrative persists, and it is worth examining whether the comparison holds any water.
Both men have overseen exactly 13 Premier League fixtures in their respective interim spells. Solskjær’s 13‑game run came in the 2018/19 season after he stepped in from Molde as caretaker and earned the permanent job later that year.
Carrick, promoted from his interim position in mid‑January after the dismissal of Rúben Amorim, has now matched that tally. A side‑by‑side look at their records reveals both similarities and stark differences. In terms of points, Solskjær edges ahead, collecting 32 points out of a possible 39, three more than Carrick’s 29.
The former also oversaw a more prolific attack, with United finding the net 29 times under Solskjær compared with 24 goals under Carrick. Defensively, Solskjær’s side conceded three fewer goals.
However, the context of those results matters. Solskjær’s points haul included victories against all three clubs that ultimately went down that season, and only four of his games were against sides that finished in the top half of the table.
Carrick’s schedule has been markedly tougher. Since taking over, his United have faced seven opponents that were positioned 10th or higher at the start of each weekend, and just one opponent currently languishing in the relegation zone.
This tougher fixture list partially explains the lower points total and the marginally reduced goal output. When it comes to marquee wins, both managers have delivered memorable moments.
Solskjær’s most notable league triumph was a 1‑0 away victory at Tottenham Hotspur, who finished fourth that year, with Marcus Rashford’s clinical finish after a Paul Pogba through‑ball sealing the win. Carrick, on the other hand, has already guided United to back‑to‑back wins over the two biggest English clubs. In consecutive fixtures United stunned Manchester City and Arsenal, showcasing a counter‑attacking brand of football that has become his hallmark.
Carrick also secured a win over Aston Villa, a side on course for Champions League qualification, further cementing United’s grip on third place. The circumstances surrounding each interim spell differ considerably. Solskjær was juggling Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup commitments, whereas Carrick has enjoyed extended mid‑week breaks, including a 24‑day hiatus between league games at one point. Across all competitions Solskjær oversaw 19 matches in 86 days, while Carrick has managed 13 games over a longer 101‑day window.
Player availability also played a role. Solskjær had access to the likes of Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling, Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sánchez, Juan Mata, Fred and Scott McTominay during his audition.
Carrick’s pool has featured newer faces such as Noussair Mazraoui, Patrick Dorgu, Mason Mount, Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven, Manuel Ugarte, Benjamin Šeško and Joshua Zirkzee. The differing squads inevitably influenced tactical choices and results. Beyond raw numbers, style and perception matter.
Solskjær’s tenure is often praised as one of United’s better post‑Ferguson appointments, yet critics have highlighted a lack of a clear identity, with the team relying heavily on individual brilliance and a reactive, counter‑attacking approach. Carrick’s best displays have similarly emerged against possession‑heavy opponents, allowing United to exploit space on the break. This tactical resemblance fuels the narrative that Carrick is simply a continuation of Solskjær, a notion that is understandable given his former role as the assistant.
Statistically, Carrick’s side registers more fast‑breaks per game, likely a by‑product of the tougher opposition they have faced. The most noticeable divergence lies in headed goals, where United have become one of the Premier League’s dead‑ball specialists, ranking just behind Arsenal in set‑piece efficiency. Understanding the environments each manager inherited is crucial. Solskjær arrived amid a toxic atmosphere left by José Mourinho, whose relationship with the squad had deteriorated, highlighted by public spats with Paul Pogba and reports of internal divisions.
Amorim’s exit, meanwhile, was dramatic; he openly challenged director of football Jason Wilcox before being dismissed. While both departures involved strained relations with the hierarchy, Amorim’s exit did not appear to fracture the dressing room to the same extent.
In the end, both Carrick and Solskjær were handed the task of fixing the shortcomings of two stubborn predecessors. Solskjær needed to inject optimism into a side mired in Mourinho’s negativity, while Carrick’s primary adjustment was reverting to a back‑four formation to restore confidence. Each has delivered notable wins, faced distinct challenges, and operated under different pressures. The question remains: which interim audition was more compelling after 13 league games?
The answer may hinge on whether one values raw points and goals, the difficulty of the schedule, or the broader context of squad dynamics and tactical evolution. Readers are invited to weigh the evidence and cast their vote in the poll below.