Michael Carrick has made an almost perfect start to his interim reign as Manchester United manager
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick has transformed Manchester United's results(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
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Manchester United are preparing for another key game under Michael Carrick. United have won six of the interim manager’s seven games in charge and will hope to extend their unbeaten streak as they travel to Newcastle United on Wednesday.
United’s impressive form since he took the reins has seen the club climb firmly into Champions League contention in the Premier League. Their instant improvement under the 44-year-old has also fuelled debates over whether the former midfielder should be given the job on a permanent basis.
The ex-United star, who previously spent years on the coaching staff at Old Trafford, had been out of work since being sacked by Middlesbrough last summer. Following Ruben Amorim’s exit in January, Carrick was appointed to oversee the team until the end of the campaign.
Michael Carrick reaction to job offer
Carrick was heading to a family event when he learned that he would be United’s new interim boss. While he would have been delighted by the job offer, his reaction was reportedly understated as he chose not to draw attention to himself.
Close friend Chris Hook was one of the guests at the party and recalled how the United boss seemed at the event. "It doesn't shock me, but nothing was mentioned,” Hook told BBC Sport.
"Not one of us knew even though it was bandied around and there were plenty of people around him who were thinking: 'Will it be him?' But Michael was there for his family and to see his friends. He was there to make the most of that precious time."
Paul Scholes raises doubts
While United supporters will be relishing the team’s recent resurgence, club legend Paul Scholes is yet to be convinced that his former team-mate is the best candidate for the job. The iconic midfielder highlights that the side have not faced adversity during Carrick’s short time in charge and their current momentum could soon change.
Michael Carrick
Paul Scholes believes it is too soon to know whether Carrick would succeed beyond this season(Image: Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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“This is a very short period of time. Man United could lose next week and it would be a disaster, and everyone changes their opinion,” Scholes said on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast. “He could get the job and then lose the first three games of next season.”
Scholes name-checked the vastly more experienced Carlo Ancelotti as being a better fit. “You have to have a manager you think you can have the league with," he said.
“I know [Ancelotti's] coach of Brazil, he’s that perfect one, where you think he’ll make players feel an absolute million dollars and he’s got experience winning stuff.”
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