Michael Carrick is poised to become Manchester United's permanent manager for the upcoming campaign, according to former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher. United are edging ever closer to a return to the Champions League after a hard‑fought 2‑1 victory over Brentford at Old Trafford on Monday, a win that has solidified their grip on a qualifying spot.
With only four Premier League fixtures remaining, the Red Devils sit third in the table, enjoying an 11‑point cushion over sixth‑place Brighton. Should they maintain this momentum, qualification could be sealed next weekend when they host arch‑rivals Liverpool. Since stepping into the caretaker role in January, Carrick has overseen nine wins in 13 matches, a record that has prompted Carragher to predict that the interim boss will retain his position following a string of "sensational results." Speaking on Sky Sports, the ex‑Liverpool stalwart said, "He will definitely be Manchester United's manager next season, no doubt about it – you can't argue he doesn't deserve the job.
The results have been absolutely sensational. They are the kind of outcomes you expect from a title‑contending side, or at least a team fighting for the league top spots." Carragher added that while United are not currently under the pressure of European fixtures, the upcoming schedule will inevitably bring new challenges. "Even without the added strain of Europe, nobody could have asked for a better run of form," he asserted. The conversation then shifted to former United manager Erik ten Hag, whom Carragher described as the "biggest criticism" for failing to adapt.
In contrast, Carrick has demonstrated flexibility and tactical acumen, earning praise from both former players and pundits. Harry Maguire, speaking to Sky Sports about Carrick's impact, highlighted the confidence boost the team has experienced. "The results speak for themselves," Maguire said. "When Michael first arrived we faced two tough fixtures – Arsenal and Manchester City – and we managed to take six points.
That gave everyone belief. We now know we can score from anywhere, and we are improving our defensive shape, moving the ball quicker across the pitch." Maguire continued, noting the stark difference between the Carrick era and the previous tenure under Ten Hag. "Under Erik, games felt like 50/50 and we often ended up on the losing side. Now we are stronger at both ends – defensively solid and more clinical in attack." Gary Neville, on his podcast, praised Carrick's ability to extract maximum performance from the squad.
"If Michael were honest, he'd say he's getting the absolute most out of these players," Neville remarked. "Twenty‑nine points from thirteen games is an excellent return, especially after those brilliant performances against City and Arsenal. Even when the team hasn't looked as polished, they've still found a way to win – that’s the mark of a good manager." Neville also touched on Carrick's long‑term vision.
"He constantly thinks about the club's future, even if he isn't there at season's end – though it's likely he will be. In the second half against Brentford, he showed tactical nous, adjusting the system on the fly and nearly shutting the game down. That kind of adaptability is crucial." Carrick himself acknowledged United's improved position after the Brentford win.
"It's another win and we have a crucial game coming up this weekend against Liverpool. It's a big match for many reasons, but we have put ourselves in a strong spot," he told Sky Sports.
He admitted United could have scored more, but emphasized the importance of securing points at this stage of the season. "It's a results‑driven business now.
After the Leeds defeat, we needed to bounce back, and we did with two fantastic performances." Brentford fought back in the second half, with Mathias Jensen finding the net late, but United held firm to preserve the three points. The victory pushes United even nearer to a Champions League berth, and a win over Liverpool could clinch their return to Europe's premier competition. Overall, the consensus among former players, analysts, and the media is that Carrick has revitalised Manchester United's fortunes.
His tactical flexibility, ability to motivate the squad, and impressive win‑rate have convinced many that he deserves a permanent role. As the season draws to a close, all eyes will be on Old Trafford to see whether Carrick can sustain this momentum and guide the Red Devils back to the top tier of European football.