Three wins from three games have put Michael Carrick on pole position to get the job on a full-time basis - but he will still have the problem of the club's woeful ownership to deal with
Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick has turned back time at Manchester United (Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside, Offside via Getty Images)
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Michael Carrick is turning back the clock at Old Trafford. Rolling back the years to an era which became known as 'Fergie Time'.
When Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson took advantage of a few extra minutes no-one knew were coming, to win games at the death. Carrick faces mission impossible when it comes to masterminding the success Fergie once had. No chance. It will never happen.
But what Carrick has managed to achieve is get back that golden glow, for a football club which has sat under a dark cloud for longer than it cares to remember. For the time being, at least, United have that feel good factor running through the club's veins again.
Football matches are being won in deserved but dramatic fashion. Supporters are off their seats, including those sat in the posh ones in the directors box.
Fergie himself couldn't keep the smile off his face, when he watched United produce a win over Fulham that was from his very own vintage. Conceding an equaliser in stoppage time. Only to charge down the opposite end and snatch a winner.
For Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ruud Van Nistelrooy, read Benjamin Sesko. For the second time in a week, United won a game instead of settling for a point.
Carrick has shown in his substitutions he is proactive instead of reactive. He sent on Sesko with his side 2-0 up. It's the sort of attitude Fergie himself used to have.
It sums up the parody of a place United has become, that an afternoon which started with a huge protest against the club's owners, ended in thrilling jubilation.
While Sir Jim Ratcliffe & Co were getting hammered with dog's abuse, Carrick's name was being serenaded.
Man Utd fans protest
Man Utd fans protest
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Manchester United manager Michael Carrick celebrates with Benjamin Sesko after his Fulham winner
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick celebrates with Benjamin Sesko after his Fulham winner(Image: 2026 Visionhaus)
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Carrick is not one to get carried away, while the ownership issues are not his concern. But three straight victories since taking charge have left him in serious danger of getting the job permanently in the summer. And anyone who can get Sesko scoring world class winning goals, has to be some sort of managerial genius.
There is still a long way to go, of course. This is Manchester United we're talking about. A bloody nose is never that far away.
But if Carrick is handed the job full-time, the ownership of United will become his problem. It is one which hasn't been close to good enough or acceptable in recent times.
Carrick deserves much better. But he will have to accept that there are some problems at Old Trafford even he cannot fix.