Michael Carrick has got Manchester United job – but does he deserve it? And how will squad be shaped going forward? | Football News

It’s Carrick, you know?

Michael Carrick, the former Manchester United midfielder who spent 12 years at the club in his playing career, now gets to realise his own dream of leading the club as head coach going forward.

There will be debate as to whether Carrick, who fans have long sung in the stands about his elegant playing style, is the right man to lead the club, but my question would be… why?

If we have learned anything from the managers and head coaches who have taken charge of Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson, it is that it takes a unique individual to lead the club.

Sunday 24th May 2:00pm


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It hardly mattered when the experienced Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho took charge, nor did it become significant when United went down the route of some of Europe’s brightest young coaches in Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim.

Those appointments showed how the size of the job can be too big, no matter the enthusiasm you have to take on the challenge of Manchester United.

Carrick is different. Just as he did as a player when he arrived next to Paul Scholes in United’s midfield for so many years, Carrick has brought a calmness back to Carrington and Old Trafford that was hugely required.

No matter how big the win or disappointing the loss, Carrick is never too high nor too low, which sounds like an old cliché but something that was required after the previous head coach. The impact has been telling on the playing squad as well as around Carrington.

The victory over Chelsea in April felt like a big turning point. Despite Carrick’s reign starting off so impressively after wins against Manchester City and Arsenal, their season felt like it had potential to unravel after a disappointing loss to Leeds in April.

Comparisons to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign would have been inevitable at that point but Carrick’s side dispelled that in the following weeks with wins against Chelsea, Brentford and Liverpool – a run that all but secured his long-term future at the club.

What Carrick has done right so far

Carrick’s appointment in January felt the right man at the right time, but do not underestimate the task he and his backroom staff had taken on.

Manchester United had a chaotic first five months of the season under Ruben Amorim. Let’s recap and tackle them head-on.

United suffered losses against Brentford, Grimsby and Everton (against 10 men), which all felt like new lows compared to previous seasons. Although they did win back-to-back league games for the first time under Amorim in September, it took 35 games to do so.

Under Carrick, back-to-back wins have not been an issue; he even hit the ground running with four straight league victories.

The playing squad was disconnected from what was being asked of them and confidence was an issue – especially after comments made by Amorim in his news conferences. Leny Yoro and Patrick Dorgu were two examples of that when Amorim suggested the former “thinks too much” after a mistake at Crystal Palace, while the latter was “nervous” during matches. Kobbie Mainoo also did not start a match in the Premier League under Amorim until his sacking in January.

In contrast, Carrick and his staff have had complete buy-in from the squad. Mainoo is a prime example, having been reintegrated into the starting line-up and signing a new contract at the club in recent weeks. His backroom staff have been vital to this.

Steve Holland’s importance has been consistently noted. His experience is of huge importance as is his familiarity with members of the squad from his England days. Jonathan Woodgate has contributed to fixing an error-prone and leaky defence into a much more solid unit to build on next season.

Jonny Evans is also hugely popular among the playing squad and works individually with the likes of Ayden Heaven and Yoro. Travis Binnion is a bridge to the academy while also working with the forwards.

Manchester United’s captain and undoubtedly most important player, Bruno Fernandes, also did multiple interviews talking about how a potential departure could have occurred last summer, which put his future at the club in doubt.

Perhaps common sense prevailed on this one. Carrick reverting Fernandes back into his favoured position at No 10 has helped, but the midfielder’s game has also risen another level, which has led to him winning the FWA Player of the Year. Fernandes has been clear on his utmost respect for Carrick and the two share a close bond around Carrington.

Hindsight is easy, but if United had looked elsewhere in January, perhaps Fernandes’ future would be much debated and discussed, but the United captain seems happier than ever with his future and is seen very much at Old Trafford for the foreseeable future.

That is quite a lot to unpack, but it is important to remember contextually before we begin to appreciate what Carrick and his staff have accomplished in 16 games, which has secured Champions League for next season.

What Carrick will face next?

It will be a big summer for Manchester United in the transfer window. Reinforcements will be required for the club to remain competitive on all fronts next season, with a return to the Champions League to look forward to.

But what does a Carrick squad look like? It does feel like that has been overlooked. Although Jason Wilcox and Christopher Vivell will have a big say on the direction United go in terms of signings, Carrick has been canvassed for his opinion as well.

There is also not much to go off in Carrick’s short managerial history. At Middlesbrough, he consistently had to lose some of their most prized assets but this summer at Old Trafford, it will be about offloading players who may not have futures at the club while also getting players in to help certain areas. The midfield, for example, will be hugely important with Casemiro leaving – his defensive qualities, as well as importantly timed goals, will be hugely missed.

United’s squad will undoubtedly look different come the start of next season but the intrigue will be how Carrick adapts and builds on the style and results we have seen so far.

The win against Brentford a few weeks ago showed how pragmatic and adaptable he can be when he switched to five at the back at half-time to sure up the wide areas that were being exploited.

It was a positive sign, but what has often been the downfall of Manchester United managers of the past has been in games where they need to dominate. No matter whether it has been Ten Hag or Amorim, they have struggled to break teams down on a consistent basis.

And consistency is the key word. Ultimately, the biggest challenge for Carrick and his staff will be to keep this United team competitive and secure Champions League football again next season.

United fans will go into the summer full of optimism after what they have seen over the last five months or so but there will also be a feeling of ‘we’ve been here before’ with previous head coaches, who have ultimately led to disappointment.

Carrick, as a fan of the club himself, will be all too aware of that but that is why this appointment is intriguing – as we already look ahead to next season, the history and future are truly a mystery, but United will remain one of the most curious stories going forward.

Your views: Contrasting opinion on Carrick…

Dale: How can you not give it to Carrick? The players are all behind the manager. Bringing someone else in would upset the dressing room.

StefanL: Big mistake. Apart from the first two games, the football has been dreadful. Would put money on being in the bottom half by Christmas.

Sam D: Good decision. Utd need to keep building on what Carrick has done and getting someone else in may just ruin that. Back him in the summer window.

Ryan: Carrick has done brilliantly but there’s no reason for him to get the job when there’s better candidates out there. The Sunderland performance should have raised alarm bells. And by mid-January, we will be looking for yet another interim manager because he will be sacked.

Keith p: I love Carrick. He’s done us all proud but is he really ready for the Champions League? Why not go all out for Luis Enrique?

Ant: It may not be an exciting choice but it is the right choice. Must pundits thought Utd would finish no higher than eighth this season. To finish top four, Carrick has done a fantastic job.

JoshOpray: His man management is Fergie-like. The entire dressing room love him and will play for him no matter what. That’s such a huge factor in football that can’t be overlooked. Why not give him a chance!

Bob L: I hope it is not a repeat of what happened to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. One good season as interim boss, then struggle next season as permanent boss, eventually being sacked.