Michael Carrick Told Which Two Big-Name Managers Would Stop Him Getting the Man Utd Job Permanently as Former Red Devils Star Urges Club to ‘Ride the Wave’

Michael Carrick’s Manchester United Revival Has Sparked a Serious Debate at Old Trafford

Manchester United have been here before. An interim manager arrives, lifts the mood, gets results flowing again and reconnects the squad with the supporters. The difference this time? Michael Carrick doesn’t feel like a short-term fix. He feels like a natural fit.

Since stepping in for the remainder of the season following the departure of Ruben Amorim in January, Carrick has done something very few managers manage at Old Trafford: he’s made the job look simple. Four games, four wins, big performances against big opponents, and suddenly United look like a team again rather than a weekly experiment.

Now, the conversation has shifted. This is no longer about whether Carrick can “steady the ship.” It’s about whether Manchester United should make him the permanent manager — and, according to one former Red Devils midfielder, only two elite names should stand in his way.

Carrick’s United on a Roll as Results Speak Louder Than Theory

Manchester United v Fulham – Premier League

Carrick’s start has been nothing short of remarkable. Victories over Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham have reignited belief around Old Trafford, and the manner of those wins has been just as impressive as the results themselves.

United look organised. Players look comfortable in their roles. There’s a clear structure without suffocating creativity. For a club that has spent years oscillating between rigid systems and tactical chaos, that balance feels refreshing.

Gary Neville has already revealed that United’s hierarchy has begun the process of identifying a permanent manager, with a decision expected closer to the end of the season. Names like Oliver Glasner and Andoni Iraola are expected to be available, while England boss Thomas Tuchel could be an option after the World Cup.

But with every passing win, Carrick’s case becomes harder to ignore.

Echoes of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer — but With Lessons Learned

There are inevitable comparisons to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s interim spell back in 2018-19. Solskjaer won 14 of his first 19 matches after replacing Jose Mourinho and was swiftly handed the job permanently. That decision ultimately didn’t end with silverware, and many at United now view it as rushed.

Carrick himself has been careful to distance the current situation from that era. He has publicly stated that the club should not make a “knee-jerk” call, suggesting he understands the scale and pressure of the role better than most.

But history also shows that Solskjaer finished second in the league and came closer than many realise to sustained success. The lesson may not be that interim appointments never work — but that they need patience, backing and clarity.

Owen Hargreaves Names the Only Two Managers Who Should Block Carrick

Former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves, who won both the Premier League and Champions League alongside Carrick in 2007-08, believes the club would be foolish to overlook him — unless they can land one of two elite figures.

Speaking to GOAL, Hargreaves made his stance clear: only Champions League winners Thomas Tuchel or Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique should be considered ahead of Carrick.

“I don’t see how you couldn’t give it to him,” Hargreaves said. “I know they had the experience with Ole, but he finished second and did great right up to a point. Football has highs and lows. When it’s good, you’ve got to enjoy it.”

For Hargreaves, the context matters more than theory.

“If Carrick finishes third or fourth from where they were, with all the noise around the club, how could you not? The only thing you could throw at it is experience. And if you could get a Luis Enrique or Tuchel, maybe. But right now, the football club is winning — and Carras is the architect of that.”

‘Ride the Wave’ – Why Stability Matters More Than Star Names

One of Hargreaves’ strongest warnings was aimed at United’s long-standing obsession with managerial celebrity.

Manchester United have already employed some of the most decorated managers in modern football. Louis van Gaal. Jose Mourinho. On paper, they were dream appointments. In reality, both left behind fractured squads, strained relationships and unfinished projects.

“Names don’t guarantee success,” Hargreaves explained. “If anything, big names bring more expectation. They come in saying, ‘I want this, I want that.’ Then everything becomes short-term.”

Carrick, by contrast, represents continuity. He understands the club’s culture, the pressure, the fanbase and the dressing room dynamics. He isn’t trying to impose an identity — he’s refining one.

“Ride the wave while it’s good,” Hargreaves said. “The football’s good. Fans are happy. Players are happy.”

For a club starved of calm, that might be the most valuable currency of all.

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Why Michael Carrick ‘Connects’ in a Way Others Haven’t

Hargreaves’ praise went beyond tactics and results. He highlighted Carrick’s personality — something often overlooked in elite-level analysis.

“I’ve known him since England Under-21s,” Hargreaves said. “He’s always been the same. Never too high, never too low. He’s comfortable in his own skin.”

That understated authority is resonating with the squad.

“He doesn’t have to shout or scream. He watches. He listens. Coaching isn’t about making it about you — it’s about helping people get better.”

In a dressing room packed with talent but bruised egos, that approach matters. Players don’t feel micromanaged. They feel trusted. And when players feel trusted, performances usually follow.

Carrick the Coach, Not the Celebrity

Carrick’s biggest strength might be his refusal to turn the spotlight on himself. In an era where managers are brands, Carrick remains refreshingly old-school.

“You’ve got to inspire people,” Hargreaves added. “You’ve got to connect with them. The more people you reach, the better they’ll play for you.”

That connection is evident on the pitch. United’s midfield looks balanced. Young players look confident. Senior figures look re-energised.

Carrick isn’t reinventing football. He’s simplifying it — and at Manchester United, that might be revolutionary.

United Eye a Fifth Straight Win as Momentum Builds

United now head to West Ham on Tuesday with the chance to secure a fifth consecutive victory — something Ruben Amorim never managed in 14 months at the helm.

A win at the London Stadium would also match the club’s longest winning run in two years and further strengthen Carrick’s claim to the job.

The irony is delicious: West Ham, Carrick’s former club, could play a role in determining his future at Old Trafford.

A Decision That Will Define United’s Direction

Manchester United stand at a familiar crossroads. Do they chase the next big name and risk starting over once again? Or do they back someone who understands the club from the inside and is already delivering results?

Owen Hargreaves has made his view clear. Unless United can convince Thomas Tuchel or Luis Enrique to walk through the door, Michael Carrick deserves the chance to build something lasting.

Football doesn’t always reward patience. But sometimes, when the wave is rising, the smartest move is not to jump ship — but to ride it all the way in.