Manchester United find themselves facing a familiar crossroads as the club contemplates granting Michael Carrick a permanent head‑coach role, a situation that mirrors the path Ole Gunnar Solskjær once walked to secure his full‑time appointment. Since Carrick stepped in for Rúben Amorim in mid‑January, United’s results have been impressive, yet questions about his long‑term suitability persist, many of which stem from inevitable comparisons with Solskjær, who also steadied the ship after a turbulent spell under a Portuguese manager.
Carrick has publicly dismissed any parallels with Solskjær as "irrelevant," but that statement does little to silence a narrative that has already taken hold among supporters and pundits alike. The key question remains: is the comparison fair, or merely a convenient storyline?
Solskjær oversaw 13 Premier League matches before being handed the permanent job in 2019, having initially arrived from Molde as a caretaker. Carrick has now matched that tally, prompting a side‑by‑side look at how the two interim periods stack up.
In pure points terms, Solskjær holds a slight advantage, accumulating 32 points out of a possible 39 – three more than Carrick’s haul after 13 league games. His side also found the net 29 times, five more than United have under Carrick, while conceding three fewer goals. However, Solskjær’s run featured fixtures against all three clubs that ultimately were relegated that season, and only four of his opponents finished in the top half of the table in 2018/19. Carrick’s schedule has been tougher in terms of opposition quality.
Since taking over, his United have faced seven teams that were positioned 10th or higher at the start of each weekend, with only a single opponent languishing in the relegation zone. This tougher fixture list adds nuance to the raw points comparison.
One of Solskjær’s standout results was a 1‑0 away victory at Tottenham Hotspur, then managed by Mauricio Pochettino and eventual fourth‑place finishers. Marcus Rashford’s precise finish, set up by a lofted ball from Paul Pogba, secured the win, with David de Gea making crucial saves. Carrick, however, can claim an even more impressive start to his interim tenure: United recorded back‑to‑back triumphs over the two biggest English clubs, beating Manchester City and Arsenal in consecutive league matches. Those wins were followed by a victory over Aston Villa, a side on course for Champions League qualification, solidifying United’s grip on third place.
When Carrick argues that each manager operates under unique circumstances, he is technically correct. Solskjær had to juggle the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the Champions League, while Carrick has enjoyed the luxury of mid‑week breaks between league fixtures – at one point United enjoyed a 24‑day hiatus. Including cup competitions, Solskjær oversaw 19 matches in 86 days, whereas Carrick has managed 13 games across 101 days. The quality of players available also shapes each audition.
Solskjær could call upon the likes of Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling, Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sánchez, Juan Mata, Fred and Scott McTominay. Carrick’s pool has featured newer arrivals such as Noussair Mazraoui, Patrick Dorgu, Mason Mount, Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven, Manuel Ugarte, Benjamin Šeško and Joshua Zirkzee.
The differing personnel pools inevitably influence tactics and results. From a purely league‑position perspective, Solskjær ranks among United’s most successful post‑Ferguson appointments, yet his legacy is clouded by criticism of his teams’ playing style. United under Solskjær often relied on moments of individual brilliance rather than a coherent, proactive system, limiting their ability to challenge for major trophies. Carrick’s most memorable performances have similarly come against possession‑heavy opponents, allowing United to exploit counter‑attacking opportunities, as demonstrated in the wins over City and Arsenal.
These tactical similarities have fueled the narrative that Carrick is simply a repeat of Solskjær – a notion not entirely unfounded given his former role as Solskjær’s assistant. A deeper dive into statistics from their first 13 league games reveals that Carrick’s side registers more fast‑breaks per match, likely a by‑product of the tougher schedule and the need to absorb pressure before striking.
The most striking statistical divergence lies in headed goals, with United under Carrick scoring more from set‑pieces – a reflection of the Premier League’s current emphasis on dead‑ball proficiency, where United rank among the league’s most effective. Understanding the context each manager inherited is crucial. While both Amorim and José Mourinho share Portuguese nationality, their relationships with the squad differed markedly.
Mourinho’s tenure ended amid a toxic atmosphere, exacerbated by a public spat with Paul Pogba and reports of internal divisions. Amorim’s exit was dramatic, culminating in a press‑conference outburst aimed at director of football Jason Wilcox before he was dismissed.
Solskjær arrived to mend a locker‑room fractured by Mourinho’s negativity, whereas Carrick stepped in after Amorim’s abrupt departure, inheriting a squad still reeling from internal turmoil. United had lost three of Mourinho’s final eight games before his sacking after a 3‑1 defeat at Liverpool. By contrast, Amorim’s side lost only one of his last eight matches, winning three, but his tactical regression to a back‑three after previously finding success with a back‑four raised doubts.
In many ways, both interim managers were handed a relatively clear brief: make modest adjustments to rectify the shortcomings of their predecessors. Solskjær needed to inject optimism into a demoralised dressing room, while Carrick’s primary task was to revert to a back‑four formation to restore defensive stability and improve morale. Both have faced the added pressure of being compared to their former bosses – Solskjær with Mourinho, Carrick with Solskjær – and both have had to navigate the expectations of a fanbase eager for sustained success.
Ultimately, deciding which interim coach delivered the stronger audition after 13 Premier League games depends on the weight given to raw points, quality of opposition, tactical nuance and the broader context of each manager’s circumstances. The debate continues, and United supporters are invited to cast their vote in the poll below, determining who they believe has earned the right to steer Old Trafford forward.