Manchester United legend Gary Neville has been very outspoken about Michael Carrick’s future as a head coach.
It was confirmed this week that Michael Carrick has been appointed as an interim head coach at Manchester United until the end of the 2025/26 season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was rejected for the role by Ineos as he wanted a clause in his contract that kept him at the club if he achieved Champions League qualification.
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However, Ineos are keen to make a long-term coach appointment in the summer, meaning Carrick only has 17 games in charge of the Red Devils.
Gary Neville does not want Carrick to stay at United, and he confidently urged Ineos to not give him a permanent contract regardless of his results.
Michael Carrick during Manchester United Training Session
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Gary Neville has made a complete U-turn with Michael Carrick
In the latest episode of The Overlap, Neville explained his reasoning about why Carrick must not be kept at United beyond this season.
“There cannot be any consideration that Michael takes the job beyond this season,” Neville said.
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However, it was Neville who could not contain his excitement when Solskjaer impressed in his interim stint in the 2019/20 season.
After Solskjaer’s iconic comeback win against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, it was Neville who was leading the push for his permanent appointment.
“Ole Gunnar, three very quick questions for you. How long would you like on your contract, what would you like your salary to be, and where would you like your statue?” Neville asked.
Is Gary Neville wrong to be ruling Michael Carrick out of the running for the permanent job already?
Or do you think this is a moment Neville is speaking sense?
Neville/Carrick
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Ineos might have no choice with Michael Carrick
Neville seems keen for United to not repeat the decision they made with Solskjaer, but it is up to Carrick to give the club hierarchy no choice.
Sporting director Jason Wilcox wants United to achieve Champions League qualification, and currently United are seventh and three points off fifth.
If Carrick can navigate his incredibly difficult start and lead United back to the top step of European football, then the support from fans will be overwhelming.
READ MORE: Michael Carrick is perfect manager to now debut Man Utd wonderkid with ‘great potential’, he’s ready
The pressure to appoint Carrick permanently will grow exponentially if he is a huge success as an interim.
The lack of options for a permanent appointment in the summer could also lean in Carrick’s favour.
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