Michael Carrick could barely suppress a smile when asked whether questions about his chances of becoming Manchester United’s permanent head coach were now inevitable.
“It’s going to be like this every week, isn’t it?” he said, after guiding United to a 2–1 victory over Crystal Palace that lifted them to third in the Premier League — their highest position since May 2023.
“Only a few weeks so far,” one reporter replied from the press room.
Until Sunday, Carrick had largely avoided scrutiny over his long‑term future since taking charge in mid‑January. But with United climbing the table and extending an impressive run of results, the debate felt unavoidable. The 44‑year‑old has overseen six wins and a draw from his seven matches in charge, adding to an unbeaten three‑game interim spell back in 2021.
As he was during his playing career, Carrick remains a calm and measured presence in front of the cameras. Trusted by the club hierarchy to avoid controversy, he was appointed ahead of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer partly because there was no orchestrated public campaign surrounding his candidacy.
Carrick has no intention of openly declaring his desire to take the job full‑time, wary that such comments could be interpreted as pressure on the board. He will have other options in the summer, but it is evident he is relishing his return to management.
“There’s no escaping the situation, but there’s not much I can really say,” Carrick said. “I love being here and doing what I’m doing. From the start, I’ve said I’m not about short‑term thinking.
“My responsibility, however long I’m here, is to make decisions that are right for the club in the long term. Winning helps, of course, and the players have been excellent. We’ll see where it leads.”
After being dismissed by Middlesbrough last June, Carrick was in no rush to jump straight back into football. However, the past few weeks have reignited his enthusiasm for coaching.
Critics who argue United should avoid another former player‑turned‑manager overlook two key points. First, some of United’s most fluent football since Sir Alex Ferguson came under Solskjaer. Second,…
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