It only takes a few days with Manchester United for the mood to flip from feeling down and out, to being suddenly optimistic.
All it took after the team’s FA Cup exit was for the club to set a direction for the rest of the season, and a managerial plan is now firmly in place.
Michael Carrick has been appointed until the end of the season, along with his coaching staff including former England assistant boss Steve Holland.
United now have 17 games remaining this season to fully focus on securing a high Premier League finish, before looking to appoint another permanent manager next season.
It’s not an ideal situation for the club to be in, after deciding to sack Ruben Amorim at the start of the month. But at least there is a sense of direction, which was clearly lacking during the previous week.
And now the optimism is really coming out.
TalkingPoints TV: Should Michael Carrick get a serious shot at becoming permanent Man Utd manager?
🗣Your comments could feature in the next video, make your voice heard!
Featuring…
📋 Michael Carrick’s top priorities
📈 How many wins Carrick needs
🏆 Winners and losers
❌ Ole misses out
⚽ Carrick’s playing days
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Manchester United interim head coach Michael Carrick poses at the Carrington training complex in 2026 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
The Carlo Ancelotti comparison
Manchester United fans do feel a sense of positivity about the Michael Carrick appointment, after seeing what he was capable of during his brief interim spell in 2021.
Carrick led United to two wins against Villarreal and Arsenal, also drawing away at Chelsea.
More United News
A win at home to City this weekend is a big ask, and it really would see the mood soar sky high.
One comparison has already reached a surprisingly high level, courtesy of former Manchester United academy player John O’Kane.
O’Kane wrote on X: “I’m not sure Carrick could have come in at a worse time with City Arsenal next.
“I don’t know why I just got a feeling Carrick will be the coach for 2026/27.
“He has an aura of calm like Ancelotti. Obviously, he’s not Ancelotti, but the same class and manner!! 1 to watch.”
There is a lot to unpack there, but the top takeaway is clearly the comparison of Carrick’s calm but steely demeanour to legendary manager Carlo Ancelotti.
It’s a bold statement, and we can only hope that Carrick can have half the managerial career that Ancelotti has managed to put together.
Does Michael Carrick REALLY have traits like Carlo Ancelotti? Do you see it?!
🔥Hot Take of the Week
Carrick / Ancelotti graphic
Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Ancelotti could be dream appointment
The Carlo Ancelotti comparison is very timely because he is suddenly part of the conversation when it comes to Manchester United’s dream managers.
Ancelotti was this writer’s personal top pick for the job, that was before Gary Neville and even Sam Allardyce came forward and put forward the case to try and tempt the Italian to Old Trafford this summer.
At present Ancelotti is the Brazil manager, fully focused on the 2026 World Cup.
Prove me wrong… Carlo Ancelotti should be Ineos’ top option to become permanent manager this summer!
Do you think Ancelotti would be a success? Do we stand a chance of getting him?
Ancelotti graphic
Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Ancelotti is a very long shot for the United job, although he is a very popular choice as our poll below shows.
Asking Michael Carrick to be our homegrown Ancelotti is a little too much to ask right now.
But what about a scenario where Carrick works as an assistant under Ancelotti, and then takes the reins again three years later?
Is that too much to ask?
Who do you think will be Man Utd manager at the start of the 2026/27 season?
🔮 Let us know who you believe will and should be in charge? Who will Ineos appoint?
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox