It’s been over two weeks since Michael Carrick returned to Manchester United as head coach, but conversations are already being had about how he could take the job beyond the 2025/26 campaign.
Although results have been poor for some time, Manchester United unexpectedly sacked Ruben Amorim at the beginning of January.
Just two weeks later, it was confirmed that Michael Carrick would become head coach until the end of the season. The task at hand is to steady the ship by helping United qualify for the Champions League.
After back-to-back wins over Man City and Arsenal, United find themselves fourth in the Premier League table. They are tasked with a game against Fulham on Sunday, which will be a chance to win three consecutive games for the first time since October.
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Our last five games vs Fulham have been very tight…
Fulham last five
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Ian Wright disagrees with Gary Neville when it comes to Carrick getting the job permanently. The former United captain has been very dismissive of the topic, though everyone knows football is a results business.
Carrick, like any other potential head coach, should be judged on his ability to get results. He has until the end of the season to strengthen his case.
Steve Holland and Michael Carrick
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Man Utd may hold onto Michael Carrick following Keith Andrews success at Brentford
When it comes to Premier League managers this season, few have been as big of a surprise as Keith Andrews at Brentford.
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The former Republic of Ireland international was an appointment made from within Brentford as they looked for a successor to Thomas Frank, who did a brilliant job before leaving for Tottenham.
Brentford are currently eighth in the Premier League and it would be seen as an achievement if Andrews can finish in the top 10 in his first season at the club.
Their fans would’ve expected a far bumpier ride after Frank’s departure, whereas it’s Tottenham who are struggling under their new coach.
Former Brentford CEO Christian Purslow features on the first episode of The Football Boardroom podcast, where he speaks with respected football journalist Henry Winter.
Winter argues against questioning ‘legacy managers’ and uses Barcelona as an example, given the success they had in the past with Johan Cruyff, Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique.
“The question about a ‘legacy manager’ is a big one in football, and it annoys me because it slightly ignores what Barcelona have done,” said Winter.
“You look at Barcelona, they’ve always appointed or frequently appointed from within, from within, whether it was a Cruyff or a Pep or a Xavi or Enrique.”
In response, explains why Brentford hired Andrews to replace Frank, which backs up any argument someone may have for extending Carrick’s contract at the end of the season.
Purslow: “I think it’s quite an underrated criteria. I’d like to say, quick shout out here [to] Brentford.
“Brentford when they hired Keith Andrews, I didn’t read a single positive article about that appointment when it was announced, but Matthew Benham passionately believes on the merits of recruiting from within.
“They believe they have a very specific culture, a very specific management system, policies and procedures within that building, and somebody who has been there and is comfortable around that system and management is more likely to succeed than an outsider coming in.”
📺 TalkingPoints TV: Is Fulham really Michael Carrick’s toughest test so far?
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Michael Carrick must end Keith Andrews’ 100% record vs Man Utd
In September, Andrews took charge of Brentford in his first-ever game as manager against United.
Benjamin Sesko scored the only goal for United, but Igor Thiago scored a brace before Mathias Jensen made it 3-1 in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
The reserve fixture takes place in April and Carrick needs to do his utmost to ensure Brentford don’t do the double over United. That would see Andrews keep hold of his 100% win success rate against the Red Devils.
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